Hamid Bounouira

National Center for Energy Sciences and Nuclear Techniques

In this study, we used the instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) for analysis of granite samples from four locations in Oulmes region of central Morocco. In order to investigate the geochemical behavior of both major and trace elements in granite rocks from study area. The four samples almost accurately reflect the geochemical v...

The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REE) has led to increased mining activities, which may result in potential ecological and health risks. Our objective was to evaluate the potential ecological and analyze the health risks associated with REE in soil samples obtained from the gold mining region, employing neutron activation analysis (NA...

The primary objective of this study was to assess the variation in the elemental composition of Cannabis Sativa seeds cultivated in Northern Morocco and to evaluate potential health risks associated with heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As). We employed Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify and quantify both macro and t...

The present study aims to establish a baseline data of natural and artificial radioactivity in soil and phosphate rock samples collected in a prospective phosphate mine of the Hinda District. Samples were measured using an HPGe gamma spectrometer. The mean activity concentrations (Bq kg−1) for 238U, 235U, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs in soil are 94...

Soils from a prospective phosphate mining area in the Hinda district of the Congo were analyzed using the ICP-MS technique in order to assess the environmental pollution and human health risks presented by potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The results showed that the mean concentrations of PTEs exceeded the global crustal average. Environmental po...

This study investigates the concentrations and accumulation levels of rare earth elements (REEs) in soil samples collected from gold-mining sites in Sudan in order to study the distribution of REEs and discuss their concentrations around the gold mining areas in Sudan. The presence of REEs was determined through the neutron activation analysis tech...

The main objective of this work was to study how the k0-standardisation method of neutron activation analysis performs when applied to Moroccan medicinal plant samples. Irradiation was carried out at the Moroccan Triga Mark II research reactor at CNESTEN. Standard references material from NIST and WEPAL were used for internal quality control, mainl...

To sustain and advance the development of our laboratory, it is imperative for the laboratory 1 personnel to consistently deliver high-quality products and services that meet customer expectations. 2 The progress of productivity and the pace of technological advancements result in constant evolution 3 of measurement procedures, analytical technique...

The aim of this work was the characterization of the neutron flux parameters in two irradiation facilities; pneumatic tube system (PTS) and rotary specimen rack (RSR); at the Moroccan Triga Marck II research reactor using k0-IAEA and KayWin softwares. The analysis of several combinations of flux monitor sets is the basis for this study. The efficie...

The main objective of the present study was to determine the concentration of major and minor elements contained in soil and phosphate rock samples collected in the prospective phosphate mining area in Hinda district. Samples have been analyzed using k0-neutron activation method through the Moroccan Triga Mark II research reactor. The results showe...

The National Center for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN)’s Training Research and Isotope Production General Atomics (TRIGA) Mark II is a pool-type light water moderated and cooled research reactor operating at a maximum steady state thermal power of 2 MW. The reactor was designed to be used as a training facility for reactor operat...

Many commercially available software packages have been created to analyze gamma-ray spectra, but their source code has generally not been shared, although some users may wish to add or modify certain functionality, which is impossible without access to the source code. This study therefore presents a new open-source software package for the analys...

The main objective of the present study was to assess natural radioactivity level from soils of an abandoned potash mine and its surroundings at Holle locality in Hinda district, the Republic of Congo. Samples were analyzed using an HPGe gamma spectrometer. Activity concentration values obtained varied from 21.01 ± 6.47 to 117.3 ± 2.69 Bq/kg with a...

Since the installation of the TRIGA MARK II reactors in the National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), Neutron Activation Data Analysis software (NADA) for neutron activation analysis (NAA) based on the relative method was the first software used; Over the years, the neutron activation analysis laboratory has been seeking...

This research aims to presents the neutron simulations for the shutter installation using in Prompt-Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGAA) in TRIGA reactor. The results values of this work propose that, a good using of shutter of neutron is more important to improvement the nuclear security protocol at the center.

For decades, Eastern Morocco was a source of different types of minerals with high mining activities. Nowadays, unfortunately, it represents the largest abandoned mining deposits in the country that generate significant amounts of toxic elements threatening the downstream environments of Moulouya watershed. The purpose of this study is to assess an...

Certified reference materials (CRMs) are the cornerstone of the quality of analytical measurements. Homogeneity is a critical process in CRMs development. This study reports the use of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for the assessment of between-bottle homogeneity of four CRMs candidates of soil matrices, namely, soil from an agric...

The TRIGA Mark II research reactor is equipped with four horizontal beam tubes and one thermal column. The tangential (NB1) and Percy (NB2) beam tube, which are the subject of this study, are dedicated to Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis and Neutron Imaging, and (Neutron Diffraction) facilities, respectively. A preliminary neutron character...

In this work, we aim to study the performance of the k0-standardization method in neutron activation analysis when using the Kayzero for Windows software at the National Center for Energy, Sciences, and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN) of Morocco. Accuracy and precision were ensured by using certified reference materials from the IAEA, NIST, and WEPAL....

Education, training and isotopes production are the most important uses of the Moroccan 2 MW TRIGA Mark II reactor situated at the National Center for Energy Sciences and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN, Morocco). To develop new R&D projects in research reactors, the particular and advanced knowledge of neutron and photon flux distribution, within and...

The first installation around the tangential beam tube of the Moroccan TRIGA Mark II research reactor comprises combined instruments for Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGAA) and Neutron Imaging (NI). The implementation of this project is divided over three main stages, namely the installation of the collimator and the primary beam shutte...

This work is part of a chemical and geochemical study of the surface waters and actual sediments of EL Hachef river in the region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Houceima (NW Morocco). The objectives of this work are determine the physico-chemical parameters, major and trace elements concentrations of waters in order to determine the degree of pollution, to...

The k0-method of neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) was used in order to determine the concentration of major and trace elements in sediment samples collected from different sites in the Gharb plain along the Sebou River (Morocco). Samples have been analyzed using neutrons of the Moroccan Triga Mark II research reactor. Two types of irradiation (...

The Triga Mark II research (TMRII) reactor is equipped with four horizontal channels and one thermal column. Tangential (NB1) and Percy (NB2) channels, subject of this work, are dedicated to PGAA&NI (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis and Neutron Imaging) and ND (Neutron Diffraction) facilities respectively. A preliminary neutron characterization is...

The Upper Moulouya River holds the largest abandoned mining deposits in Morocco that generate significant amounts of heavy metal wastes including stable and radioactive elements. They represent by far a significant source of pollution threatening the surrounding environment. The purpose of this study is to assess the contamination levels of 238U, 2...

Metals in fourteen plants were analyzed in parallel by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the possible integration of the analytical techniques. INAA correlates well with ICP-OES for Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Zn. Advantages of INAA include its nondestructive natu...

GTW III – 3rd Edtion – International Conference on Geospatial Technologies for Water Resources sous le thème : « L’Information Géospatiale, Ressources en Eau et Changement Climatique : Défis et perspectives».

Abstract Molybdenum-99 is one of the most important radionuclides for medical diagnostics. In 2015, the Inter- national Atomic Energy Agency organized a round-robin exercise where the participants measured and calculated specific saturation activities achievable for the 98Mo(n,c)99Mo reaction. This reaction is of interest as a means to locally, and...

N. Mejjad1, O. El Hammoumi1, A. Laissaoui2, F.Z. Bouthir3, H. Amsil2, H. Bounouira2, K. Embarech2, A. Fekri1, S. Benbrahim3

N. Mejjad1, O. El Hammoumi1, A. Laissaoui2, F.Z. Bouthir3, H. Amsil2, H. Bounouira2, K. Embarech2, A. Fekri1, S. Benbrahim3

Naturally occurring radionuclides and 137Cs were measured in a sediment core and surface deposit collected from the bed channel of the Oualidia Lagoon located in the western Morocco. Major and rare earth elements (REE) profiles were determined by instrumental NAA technique. 210Pb and 137Cs were used to establish the sedimentation chronology over th...

After the discovery of the neutron (1932) and of artificial radioactivity (1934), the neutron activation analysis (1936) will become the method of choice, (INAA: Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis) is a exclusively method of elemental analysis. Its implementation involves irradiating the sample for analysis in a flux of suitable particles, ne...

The purpose of this research is to develop a direct spectrometric approach to monitor soils and waters, at a lower cost than the widely used chromatographic techniques; a spectrometric approach that is effective, reliable, fast, easy to implement, and without any use of organic solvents whose utilization is subject to law limitation. It could be su...

The Triga Mark II research reactor, situated in the National Center of Energy Sciences and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN), Morocco, is equipped with four horizontal channels and one thermal column. Tangential (NB1) and Percy (NB2) channels are dedicated to PGAA (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis) and ND (Neutron Diffraction) facilities, respectively....

Abstract: In this work, we propose to study the geochemical characteristics of major and trace elements in surface sediments of the littoral coast and the estuary of the Sebou river in Kénitra city (Morocco). Neutron activation analysis, recently installed around the TRIGA Mark II research reactor at the Nuclear Study Centre of Maâmora, has been us...

The Bouregreg River is one of the main rivers of Morocco, Its source being located in the Moroccan central massif and flows towards the Atlantic coast through the coastal Meseta. The Bouregreg River basin is located in the Moroccan Central Massif which consists mainly of Palaeozoic formations that were subject to the Hercynian orogeny. To study the...

The aim of this work was to implement and to validate the k0 standardization method in neutron activation analysis (k0-NAA) at the Moroccan TRIGA Mark II research reactor. This technique was used in order to determine, the calibration of several HPGe detectors and calibration of neutron flux parameters in the typical irradiation channels [rotary sp...

The aim of this work was to implement and to validate the k 0 standardization method in neutron activation analysis (k 0-NAA) at the Moroccan TRIGA Mark II research reactor. This technique was used in order to determine, the calibration of several HPGe detectors and calibration of neutron flux parameters in the typical irradiation channels [rotary...

L’étude vise à évaluer l’état de pollution en éléments radioactifs et métaux lourd des sédiments la lagune d’Oualidia. Les analyses ont été effectuées sur une carotte de sédiment prélevé en Septembre 2012 de la lagune d’Oualidia en marée basse à l‘aide de carottier muni d’un tube en PVC. La matière organique a été déterminée par perte au feu à 450°...

Sebou River and its tributaries drain an area of 34,000 km2. It stretches over 600 km originating in the Middle Atlas in the Oued Guigou. It opens into the Atlantic through the estuary of 35 km in length, the rise of seawater being arrested at Dam Guard, immediately downstream of Sidi Allal Tazi. The river is home to many discharges of pollutants f...

The Bouregreg river basin is located in the Moroccan Central Massif which consists mainly of Palaeozoic formations that were subject to the Hercynian orogeny. This study documents the background geochemistry and hydrochemistry of the Bouregreg river basin, focusing on the distribution of major and trace elements. Rock samples were collected at nine...

The Bouregreg river is one of the main rivers of Morocco, Its source being located in the Moroccan Central Massif and flows towards the Atlantic coast through the coastal Meseta. The Bouregreg river basin is located in the Moroccan Central Massif which consists mainly of Palaeozoic formations that were subject to the Hercynian orogeny. To evaluate...

An assessment of air quality of Kenitra's city (Morocco) was performed by determining the mass concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-10 particulate matter (PM) in a sampling campaign from July 2007 to mid-Mai 2008. The samples were collected in an intense traffic area with a Gent stacked filter unit sampler in two fractions: fine (< 2.5 µm equivalent...

An assessment of air quality of Kenitra's city (Morocco) was performed by determining the mass concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5-10 particulate matter (PM) in a sampling campaign from July 2007 to mid-Mai 2008. The samples were collected in an intense traffic area with a Gent stacked filter unit sampler in two fractions: fine (< 2.5 µm equivalent...

Laboratoire de physique de la matière et rayonnement, Equipe de physique et techniques nucléaires, Faculté des sciences, P.B. 133, Kénitra 14000, Maroc (Reçu le 02 Mai 2006, accepté le 17 Août 2006) ________________ * Correspondance, courriel : choukrimajid@yahoo.com Résumé Dans ce travail, on donne les résultats préliminaires de mesure des activit...

Rare earth elements (REE), define a group of fifteen chemical elements from lanthanum to lutetium (atomic numbers 57-71) characterized by similar chemical properties. To study their distribution in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river and its tributaries, 10 sampling sites have been chosen. The collected sediment samples were analysed by instrum...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of Ko-method of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis for minor, trace and toxic elements in the most consumed foodstuff purchased from large commercial markets in Kenitra’s city (Morocco) which has been chosen for a pilot project on food monitoring in the west of Morocco. Samples have been an...

Concentrations of heavy metals (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, Ti, V ad Zn) were evaluated in 10 sediment samples from the Bouregreg river (Morocco) by using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). This is a first step in order to determine regional “background” levels of heavy metals and to obtain the metal distribution patterns in this...

The preliminary results of 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th activities and of 234U/238U, 228Ra/226Ra, 228Th/228Ra and 226Ra/238U activity ratios obtained for 8 wells, 5 drillings, 2 springs and 3 tap water samples collected in Laayoune and Es-Smara regions in the Moroccan Sahara are given in this work. The analyzed natural water samples have been...

Notre objectif principal est de caractériser les eaux usées d’abattoir municipal de la ville de Kénitra (Maroc) et de recommander un traitement adéquat permettant leurs réutilisations, réduisant ainsi les nuisances que subit le milieu récepteur (Oued Sebou) et de remédier aussi à la perte de cette source hydrique en matières valorisables. La caract...

The preliminary results of 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th activities and of 234U/238U, 228Ra/226Ra, 228Th/228Ra and 226Ra/238U activity ratios obtained for 8 wells, 5 drillings, 2 springs and 3 tap water samples collected in Laayoune and Es-Smara regions in the Moroccan Sahara are given in this work. The analyzed natural water samples have been...

Rare earth elements (REE), define a group of fifteen chemical elements from lanthanum to lutetium (atomic numbers 57-71) characterized by similar chemical properties. To study their distribution in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river and its tributaries, 10 sampling sites have been chosen. The collected sediment samples were analysed by instrum...

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) were used for the determination of major and trace elements in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river (Morocco). The reliability of the results was checked, by using IAEA Soil-...

This paper describes a method for the multielement determination of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Rb, Sr, Ba, Th, and U in water from the Bouregreg River (Morocco) by use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The distribution of trace elements in water samples of the Bouregreg River and its tributaries was determined by measurements at...

Résumé : En se basant sur une étude détaillée depuis l’été 2003 à l’hiver 2005 sur différentes matrices (roches, sédiments, matière en suspension, phase colloïdale et phase dissoute), on a établi un bilan géochimique (éléments majeurs et traces) sur le bassin versant du Bouregreg au Maroc. L’étude géochimique des eaux et des produits solides ou col...

By studying, since the summer of 2003 until the winter of 2005 on various matrices (rocks, sediments, suspended matter, colloidal phase and dissolved phase), a geochemical statement (major and trace elements) was established on the Bouregreg river basin in Morocco. Geochemical study of waters and solid products or colloid transported on the whole o...

Au cours de ce travail, nous avons déterminé les activités spécifiques (234U, 238U) et le rapport d'activités isotopique 234U/238U pour un ensemble de 68 échantillons d'eau naturelle provenant de 5 sources d'eau principales: puits (18 échantillons), sources (17 échantillons de sources chaudes et 7 échantillons de sources de surface dites froides),...