Three-dimensional constrained gravity inversion of Moho depth and crustal structural characteristics at Mozambique continental margin

Mozambique's continental margin in East Africa was formed during the break-off stage of the east and west Gondwana lands. Studying the geological structure and division of continent-ocean boundary(COB) in Mozambique's continental margin is considered of great significance to rebuild Gondwana land and understand its movement mode. Along these lines, in this work, the initial Moho was fit using the known Moho depth from reflection seismic profiles, and a 3D multi-point constrained gravity inversion was carried out. Thus, highaccuracy Moho depth and crustal thickness in the study area were acquired. According to the crustal structure distribution based on the inversion results, the continental crust at the narrowest position of the Mozambique Channel was detected. According to the analysis of the crustal thickness, the Mozambique ridge is generally oceanic crust and the COB of the whole Mozambique continental margin is divided.

An Analysis of the Accounting Costs Associated with 20-Month DR TB Regimens in Maputo City, Mozambique

Introduction: Socioeconomic and demographic conditions in a country can influence tuberculosis incidence and mortality, with nearly 95% of tuberculosis-related deaths occurring in poorer countries. Mozambique is among the 30 countries with the highest TB burden. Objective: The study aimed to estimate the average direct medical cost of treating drug-resistant tuberculosis in 19 health centers in Maputo City, Mozambique. Methods: A retrospective analysis of direct medical costs was conducted on patients aged 18 and older who completed 20-month drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimens in Maputo City in 2019. Results: This analysis covered 140 patients who completed a 20-month treatment regimen, with 64.3% (78) being male and 35.7% (62) female. Approximately 50% of the participants were aged between 29 and 47. The average direct medical cost of DRTB treatment was $4789.43, reaching up to $6568.00, with a standard deviation of $753.26, including clinical interventions and treatment. Conclusion: The direct medical costs for a basic treatment package for a patient with drug-resistant TB in Mozambique equal 36 minimum wages. Developing alternative and innovative funding mechanisms and identifying ways to mitigate costs through the use of generic medicines would be beneficial.

Change in the Number of Tropical Cyclone Landfall and Approach over Mozambique from 1980 to 2020

In this study, the variability of tropical cyclone (TC) landfall and approach over Mozambique as well as the environmental factors influencing were investigated. The frequencies of tropical cyclone landfall and approach as well as environmental factors were compared between the two periods (1980 to 1999 and 2000 to 2020). This study found that, according to International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) tropical cyclone data, the number of tropical cyclones making landfall over Mozambique increased by about 66% in the second period (2000-2020), compared to 34% in the first period (1980-1999). While the number of tropical cyclone approaches reduced from 59% in the first period to 41% in the second period. An assessment of the environmental conditions showed that warmer sea surface temperature (SST) and low vertical wind shear (VWS) were favorable to more TC genesis and, consequently, an increase in landfalls and a reduction in TC confined to the approach.

The crustal nature of the northern Mozambique Ridge,Southwest Indian Ocean

The Mozambique Ridge(MOZR)is one of the basement high structures located in the Southwest Indian Ocean,parallel to the Southeast African continental margin.It was formed as a result of the tectono-magmatic evolution of the Gondwana breakup.The origin of the MOZR has been highly debated,with models suggesting either continental or oceanic origin.With new free-air gravity anomaly and multichannel seismic(MCS)reflection data,we present results of 2D density modeling along two seismic profiles acquired by R/V Xiangyanghong 10 at the northern Mozambique Ridge(N-MOZR)between 26°S and 28°S.We observed high free-air gravity anomaly and strong positive magnetic anomaly related to the emplaced seaward dipping reflectors(SDR)and high density lower crustal body(HDLCB),and high Bouguer gravity anomaly associated with the thinning of the continental crust underneath the N-MOZR over a distance of~82 km.This suggests a thinned and intruded continental crust bound by the Mozambique Fracture Zone(MFZ)that is characterized by gravity low and negative magnetic anomaly.This fracture zone marks the continent-ocean boundary(COB)while the N-MOZR is the transform margin high,i.e.,marks the continent-ocean transition(COT)of the Southern Mozambique margin,following the definition of transform margins.We suggest that the N-MOZR was formed by continental extension and subsequent breakup of the MFZ,accompanied by massive volcanism during the southward movement of the Antarctica block.The presence of SDR,HDLCB,and relatively thick oceanic crust indicates the volcanic nature of this transform margin.

Stenian A-type granitoids in the Namaqua-Natal Belt,southern Africa,Maud Belt,Antarctica and Nampula Terrane,Mozambique:Rodinia and Gondwana amalgamation implications

We carried out SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating on A-type granitic intrusions from the Namaqua-Natal Province,South Africa,Sverdrupfjella,western Dronning Maud Land,Antarctica and the Nampula Province of northern Mozambique.Zircon grains in these granitic rocks are typically elongated and oscillatory zoned,suggesting magmatic origins.Zircons from the granitoid intrusions analyzed in this study suggest^1025-1100 Ma ages,which confirm widespread Mesoproterozoic A-type granitic magmatism in the Namaqua-Natal(South Africa),Maud(Antarctica)and Mozambique metamorphic terrains.No older inherited(e.g.,~2500 Ma Achean basement or^1200 Ma island are magmatism in northern Natal)zircon grains were seen.Four plutons from the Natal Belt(Mvoti Pluton,Glendale Pluton,Kwalembe Pluton,Ntimbankulu Pluton)display 1050-1040 Ma ages,whereas the Nthlimbitwa Pluton in northern Natal indicates older 1090-1080 Ma ages.A sample from Sverdrupfjella,Antarctica has^1091 Ma old zircons along with^530 Ma metamorphic rims.Similarly,four samples analysed from the Nampula Province of Mozambique suggest crystallization ages of^1060-1090 Ma but also show significant discordance with two samples showing younger^550 Ma overgrowths.None of the Natal samples show any younger overgrowths.A single sample from southwestern Namaqualand yielded an age of^1033 Ma.Currently available chronological data suggest magmatism took place in the Namaqua-Natal-MaudMozambique(NNMM)belt between^1025 Ma and^1100 Ma with two broad phases between^1060-1020 Ma and 1100-1070 Ma respectively,with peaks at between^1030-1040 Ma and^1070-1090 Ma.The age data from the granitic intrusions from Namaqualand.combined with those from Natal,Antarctica and Mozambique suggest a crude spatial-age relationship with the older>1070 Ma ages being largely restricted close to the eastern and western margins of the Kalahari Craton in northern Natal,Mozambique.Namaqualand and WDML Antarctica whereas the younger<1060 Ma ages dominate in southern Natal and western Namaqualand and are largely restricted to the southern and possibly the western margins of the Kalahari Craton.The older ages of magmatism partially overlap with or are marginally younger than the intracratonic Mkondo Large lgneous Provinee intruded into or extruded onto the Kalahari Craton,suggesting a tectonic relationship with the Maud Belt.Similar ages from granitic augen gneisses in Sri Lanka suggest a continuous belt stretching from Namaqualand to Sri Lanka in a reconstituted Gondwana,formed during the terminal stages of amalgamation of Rodinia and predating the East African Orogen.This contiguity contributes to defining the extent of Rodinia-age crustal blocks,subsequently fragmented by the dispersal of Rodinia and Gondwana.

Serological survey of avian influenza virus infection of unvaccinated backyard chickens in Mandlhakazi,Southern Mozambique

To investigate serologically the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) in backyard chickens from Mandlhakazi district, Southern Mozambique.MethodsA total of 439 sera samples from unvaccinated and apparently healthy backyard chickens from 4 villages (Chidenguele, Macuacua, Chizavane, and Nwadjahane) were tested for the presence of AIV antibodies through commercial enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) kit used according to manufacturer instructions.ResultsAnti-AIV antibodies were detected in all villages surveyed. The overall seroprevalence obtained was 32.6% (95% CI 28.2%-37.0%). The highest prevalence of 51.3% (95% CI 42.3%-60.2%) was recorded in Macuacua village, while the lowest prevalence of 13.0% (95% CI 6.2%-19.9%) was found in Chizavane village. The results of logistic regression analyses suggested that chicken being located in Chizavane and Macuacua villages were more unlikely for getting the virus exposure (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggested that AIV is widespread within backyard chickens in the studied villages. Further research is needed to identify the circulating virus genotypes and determine the potential role of backyard chickens in the zoonotic transmission of AIV in Mozambique.

Gondwana Terrane Assembly in Northern Mozambique:A Snapshot of Crustal Processes in the Monapo Klippe

The Nampula Subprovince in Northern Mozambique is a Mesoproterozoic gneiss terrane with a Pan-African(523-550 Ma)amphibolite-facies met- amorphic overprint.The province forms a pivotal part of the evolution and final assembly of Gondwana on the eastern seaboard of the African continent.

Susceptibility to Desertification in Chicualacuala, Republic of Mozambique

In this paper, a geo-environmental diagnostic was implemented to classify susceptibility to desertification in southern Mozambique (Chicualacuala) and deliver responses to revert occurring land degradation. The process of environmental diagnostic is a useful approach to identify the very processes and phenomena belonging to the wide ranging concept of land degradation.

Redesign and Optimization Study of Micro-Hydropower Plant in Manica Mozambique

The micro-hydropower has the technical capability of providing electricity to rural areas in Manica or other isolated place in Mozambique in currently not yet supplied with EDM (Mozambicam electricity Supply Company). Associated that, today more than 12 million of Mozambicans live below the poverty line including in non-electrified areas and most of these populations are rural people. The stochastic ARMA model and Neural Wavelet was built and fitted from the historical 49 years of hydrology predictions. The flow duration curve was plotted based on flow data with objective to find power potential that was 76.8 Kw.

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Keitt Mango and Cavendish Banana Fruits Produced in Mozambique

Mangoes (Mangifera indica) and bananas (Musa acuminata) are climacteric fruits with a high potential for export due to their exotic aroma and sweet taste. This study aimed to characterize the physical and chemical parameters of Keitt mangoes and Cavendish bananas from different regions of Mozambique. The fruits were collected from Gaza, Manica and Nampula districts of south, central and north parts of Mozambique, respectively. The banana and mango samples were collected in Mid-August 2016 and January 2017, respectively. The fruits collected were at three different maturity stages (green, green-yellowish and yellow). The sample materials were characterised according to their centesimal composition, size, weight, firmness and colour. Analyses of soluble solids and ascorbic acid were, also, performed. The results revealed that the parameters were a good indicator of the maturity stage as well as for multivariate mango and banana applications and consumption. The parameters confirmed that mango fruits with low moisture (green with 83.62%), and fibers (0.44%), high ash (2.05%) crude lipids (0.29%), protein (0.85%) and carbohydrate (13.81%), high total soluble solids (24.60%), and high vitamin C content (14.83 mg/100g) were collected in Nampula with statistic differences (p < 0.05) between region of fruit production in Mozambique and stages of fruit maturity. However, banana fruits with low moisture (73.18%) and fibers (0.27%), high crude proteins (3.44%), ash (0.58%), and crude lipids content (4.92%), high total soluble solids (24.50%) and vitamin C content (2.40 mg/100g) were collected in Manica, where statistic differences (p < 0.05) were reported. This is the first time that Keitt mangoes and Cavendish bananas fruits have been characterized either in relation to the region of production in Mozambique or in relation to the various stages of maturity. This information can be exploited by various actors along the mango and banana value chain.

Capacity Optimization Study of Chua Mini-Hydropower Plant at Chua River, Manica, Mozambique

Hydropower energy is one of most promising clean energy technologies, however this energy technology has many challenges. Compared with other renewable energies for example biomass, solar and wind energies, it has high capital investment cost. In Mozambique, access to conversional energy in form of electricity has been limited to most of the rural population. The objectives of the investigation research are to analyze Chua micro-hydropower plant exploration in Manica district in Mozambique and to examine the possibility of increasing energy production. The current total installed power generation capacity in Mozambique is about 939 MW. Hydropower contributes 561 MW, making a contribution of 61%. Oil contributes 27%, and natural gas contributes 12% of the total electric grid generation in Mozambique.

The Characteristics of the Violence against Women in Mozambique

The purpose of this study is to identify the main characteristics of violence against women in the context of a) intimate partner relationships and b) non-partner relationships in Mozambique, using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2);measure the occurrence during lifetime or the past 12 months, and examine the association between intimate partner violence (IPV)/non-partner violence (NPV) types and predictor variables (demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors). A total of 1200 women (aged 15 - 45?years) were recruited to participate in this study. Results show that in Mozambique, generally, the rates of IPV and NPV are higher compared to those of other Sub-Saharan Africa countries (except when it comes to sexual assault). It seems that there is more violence against women within intimate partner relationship than in non-partner relationship. Adolescent, single young adults and women who experience the financial strain or use frequently alcohol are more vulnerable to be abused.

Effects of Kenneth Cyclone on Groundnut Crop (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Two Districts of Northern Mozambique

In Mozambique,groundnut(Arachis hypogaea L.)in terms of importance is the third crop after maize(Zea mays L.)and cassava(Manihot esculenta).But due to geographical location,the country suffers major impacts of climate change and natural phenomena that also influence the production of this crop.The recent Kenneth cyclone that has affected Northern Mozambique,Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces,is an example of such problems.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kenneth cyclone on groundnut cultivation in Eráti and Meconta districts in Nampula province.The research used a questionnaire with closed and open questions to collect data from 31 producers and five traders in Eráti and Meconta districts.Based on the data the sum of the overall average production losses between the two districts was approximately 60%,in which Eráti lost 52%and Meconta 67%of the total production expected for groundnut.The biggest impact was the loss of unharvested groundnut germination and the deterioration of the groundnut in the field while drying.Kenneth cyclone created appropriate conditions for the proliferation of fungus causing aflatoxin,Aspergillus flavus.Samples collected for laboratory analysis showed high levels of total aflatoxins,some 269.4 ppb in Meconta and 148.3 ppb in Eráti.The purchase price of groundnut in Eráti during this period varied naturally based on product quality,with 0.8 US$/kg of groundnut that looks good quality(without the presence of fungus or mould,insect damage,rotten and germinated nuts)and 0.6 US$/kg for the poor quality(presence of fungus or mould,insect damage,rotten and germinated nuts).Kenneth cyclone affected the expectations of farmers in groundnut yields in the 2018/2019 season.

The Determinants of Anthropometric Deficits in Children under Five Years Old in Tete Province Mozambique Using Hierarchy Approach

Introduction: The malnutrition in children under 5 years is a serious public health problem in the developing countries such as Mozambique. The stunting can affect cognitive and physical development and compromise the school performance. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out which used the secondary data from a survey conducted by National Health Institute of Mozambique, in districts of Angonia, Tsangano, Magoe and Changara in Tete Province, Mozambique. The polynomial regression model and the hierarchical approach were used to examine the association between social economic factors and malnutrition in children measured by stunting (low height for age) and underweight (low weight for age). Results: The prevalence of moderate and severe stunting was 39.8%, and prevalence of moderate and severe underweight was 19.6%. In the basic level, the households that had 1 durable goods possession were associated to 1.46 times greater than the mild underweight, OR = 1.46 (C.I. 95% 1.02 - 2.11). In the intermediate level, lack of latrine increased 2.01 times greater than the moderate and severe underweight in children, OR = 2.01 (C.I. 95% 1.09 - 3.70);In the immediate level, the child deworming had 1.91 times greater than the moderate and severe stunting, OR = 1.91 (C.I.95% 1.04 - 3.52) and children who did not breastfeed had 2.42 times greater than the moderate and severe stunting, OR = 2.42 (C.I. 1.49 - 3.43). Conclusion: In the countries where the weak health system and the inadequate children food are frequent, the prevalence of undernutrition in children remains very high.

Gasification of Cashew Nut Shell Using Gasifier Stovein Mozambique

Mozambique relies on wood biomass for meeting its household energy demand. This has been for long referred to as one of the main causes of the ongoing deforestation, mainly around the large cities and village. On the other hand, the country produces large quantities of agricultural crops residue which are still not being appropriately and integrally used as additional source of energy, especially for communities in the countryside where these residues are generated. Cashew nut shells (CNS) are among those residues. This kind of feedstock is said to be of high energy content. However, its utilization as energy source within the country is still poor.In Mozambique, 90% of the households depend on biomass for cooking. Biomass has already emerged in the renewable energy area as one of the promising candidates for the future energy source. Historically, biomass has been a major source of fuel from the existence of making rapid urbanization, but widespread use of fossil fuels in the industrialization has relegated it to a minor source of energy. The CNS Gasifier Stove developed has a thermal efficiency of 35.5% and an energy output of 2.19 kW. The corresponding values for LPG stove and Kerosene stove are 53.53% (0.69 kW) and 39.3% (0.6 kW), respectively. Though the use of CNS gasifier as a fuel is less efficient than the aforementioned one, with the rising oil prices and the search for alternatives to contemporary cooking fuels, it is still a viable alternative in this comparison.

Market Dynamics in Maize Production in the North Region of Mozambique

In this article,a radiography of the agricultural sector is presented,specifically in the production of maize in the district of Malema,considering that the product is one of the most produced and consumed crops by the population in the province of Nampula.Low agriculture productivity is attributed to inadequate access to production technology and inputs and to“weak”markets for agricultural products,due to poor infrastructure and inadequate access of agricultural producers to financial services(example credit).In general,several documents analyze on how small-scale agriculture has lacks of conditions,and factors necessary for high productivity and income.In contrast,there is little information that gives an idea of the situation of agricultural maize production and existing agricultural markets and how this production and these markets are changing in Mozambique today.There is,for example,a complete absence of references to large-scale investments in agriculture currently agreed with domestic and foreign trading companies.Due to this omission,the author presents a partial analysis of the current context,and,therefore,it is not well explained how the greater investment can be directed to obtain greater use of productive technology and better access to the market,among small-scale producers.It seeks to analyze in more detail the situation“diagnosis”that is intended to be made on agriculture,specifically in the maize crop,and as a way to identify the specific aspects that can be considered starting points to work in the government intervention,in order to achieve the goals and increase agricultural productivity.

The Process of Environmental Institutionalization in Mozambique

The late 1980s began a transition from a centrally planned economic system to a market economy in Mozambique. This transition was marked by a gradual decentralization of public administration and the cross consideration of environmental issues. In our times, research and environmental studies are globally centrals to multiples fields of knowledge, based on this we try to reflect on the process of institutionalization of environmental issues in Mozambique. Our goal is to analytically explorer the political, social and economic contours that allow characterizing the beginning of this process. This article is the result of exploratory research using the qualitative method of analysis. The results showed that the beginning of the environmental issue institutionalization process in Mozambique was the result of various government initiatives and financial demands inherent in the development process, and filled in rhetorical strategies of different styles and motives, being pierced by political conflicts and fmancial, both at the state level as the meagerly existing civil society in this period. In this paper, we present and analyzed the socio-historical circumstances that interspersed the process of environmental institutionalization, indicating exogenous and endogenous factors that proved decisive for the current environmental institutional status in Mozambique.

Prospect for strategic minerals exploration and development,investment environment and cooperation in Mozambique

Mozambique is an essential country in the Belt and Road Initiative,and it is also to cooperation between China and with Africa in energy resources.It is located in the critical node of the“East Africa Channel”and close to the“African Twin Ocean Railway”,which is an important strategic position.Mozambique has abundant mineral resources and vast reserves of advantageous minerals.The natural gas reserves of Mozambique ranked second in Africa.It also has world--class scale graphite and rich iron,gold,copper,niobium-tantalum and other resources.In recent years,the mining industry in this country has been rising and attracting many foreign companies to invest,including international mining giants such as Vale,Rio Tinto and large mining enterprises of China.This paper systematically studies the mineral resources endowment,exploration and development situations of natural gas,graphite,titanium-zircon placer deposits,niobium-tantalum,gold,iron and other strategic minerals in Mozambique,comprehensively analyzes the mining investment environment and the current situation of exploration and development of Chinese enterprises in Mozambique,and replans four safeguard areas of strategic mineral resources in critical short supply.Mozambique generally has good prospects of mining investment and a stable foundation for cooperation with China.Chinese enterprises can focus on oil and natural gas,graphite,titanium,zirconium,niobium,tantalum,and iron,which complement the needs of China,expand the mining capacity cooperation,and improve the ability to secure strategic mineral resources supply.

Mozambique Ports in the 16th Century： Trade Routes, Changes, and Knowledge in the Indian Ocean Under Portuguese Rule

Arriving to the east African coast in the 16th century, Portuguese faced an important and well-structured commercial network dominated by Muslim merchants. Operating throughout the Indian Ocean and in articulation with the inland African trade routes by way of the coastal settlements from Bazaruto up to the north of Mozambique, this network bustled luxury goods and basic goods benefiting either from a network of inter-personal relationships and kinship that supported the whole business, or from an ancestral knowledge on the techniques and particular procedures indispensable to navigating in the Indian Ocean. This trade made the prosperity of small southern ports, like Sofala or Mozambique long before the Portuguese arrival. However, this trade was so much dependent on the network＇s capacity of organisation and the supply demand relation of the goods involved, as well as on other factors such as the political stability of the African kingdoms, the environmental changes that shaped flows and trade routes or the actual knowledge of the region and of the different forms of organization of local communities. By focusing in the ports of Sofala and Mozambique and the information provided by the Portuguese documents we intend to analyse its evolution during the 16th century in order to understand its role in the Indian Ocean commercial network under Portuguese rule.

Bark Stripping from Forest Tree Species in Madjadjane, Southern Mozambique: Medicinal Uses and Implications for Conservation

Tree bark is one of the most important non-timber forest products. In less developed countries, it is used for multiple purposes, particularly in traditional medicine. This paper addresses the question of bark exploitation, uses, and impacts in Madjadjane village, southern Mozambique. For that, we have conducted an ethnobotanical survey and analysed the level of damage of the ten most exploited tree species. Bark was mainly used for medical purposes, spanning 13 different applications. Most of the species had more than one medical application constituting potential sources of valuable biocompounds. In general the level of damage caused by debarking was not critical, but should be seen with caution. An upgrade and update of the results will be of utmost importance to estimate with more accuracy the current conservation status as well as to predict future impacts and define better conservation strategies. We suggest the expansion of ethnobotanical surveys as well as their integration in broad programs aimed at the preservation and valorization of local heritage. This will encourage equitable access and benefit sharing of biodiversity as well as the promotion of bio-based economy.