Scientific African最新文献

{"title":"Integrated solar system for green hydrogen production and sustainable AC power generation using digital control","authors":"S. YAHYAOUI ,&nbsp;A. AZIZ ,&nbsp;S. DAHBI ,&nbsp;J. BLAACHA ,&nbsp;A. MESSAOUDI","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Green hydrogen production from solar energy faces critical challenges in power management and system efficiency. This work presents an optimised integrated photovoltaic energy conversion system capable of simultaneously supplying alternating current energy to local loads and producing green hydrogen by water electrolysis. Unlike conventional systems using batteries, the proposed architecture combines a Buck converter controlled by a Perturb-and-Observe algorithm, a Boost converter that stabilises the DC bus at 24 V, and a unipolar pulse width modulation bridge inverter followed by an LC filter to generate a clean sinusoidal voltage with minimal distortion. A cylindrical-electrode electrolyser is directly connected downstream of the Buck converter, where it absorbs excess power, tolerates current and voltage fluctuations, and contributes to stabilising the system which is considered as a key innovation. Experimental tests in Oujda, Morocco, under both stable and highly variable solar irradiance show that the cylindrical electrolyser absorbs up to 85 % of available PV power while maintaining system stability. The system efficiency is 11.7 % which is significantly higher than the 8-9.1 % reported for flat-plate electrolyser systems with battery storage. The proposed system ensures a hydrogen production of 40–60 mL/min with delivering a clean AC power with a total harmonic distortion below 5 %. Overall, the proposed configuration provides an effective alternative for autonomous systems in the African context by adopting a strategy in which the cylindrical electrolyser simultaneously functions as a photovoltaic power adapter and a hydrogen production unit offering a battery-free, cost-effective solution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of the electronic properties of quantum rings under the influence of the electric field in the presence of two off-center impurities","authors":"M. El Hadi ,&nbsp;M. Hbibi ,&nbsp;S. Chouef ,&nbsp;R. Boussetta ,&nbsp;A. El Moussaouy ,&nbsp;O. Mommadi ,&nbsp;C.A. Duque","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03155","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03155","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the electronic properties of a GaAs quantum ring under the influence of external electric fields and donor impurity interactions, utilizing the Finite Difference Method (FDM) and the effective mass approximation. We explore the effects of quantum ring geometry, impurity positioning, and the application of electric fields on the electron–impurity binding energy and the average distance between the electron and the impurities. Our results reveal that the electron–impurity binding energy is strongly influenced by the angular position of the impurities, with stronger interactions observed when the impurities are closer to the symmetry axis of the ring. The application of an external electric field induces the Stark effect, which reduces the binding energy and alters the electron charge distribution. Furthermore, the presence of impurity interactions (<span><math><mrow><mi>κ</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math></span>) increases the binding energy, while the absence of impurity interactions (<span><math><mrow><mi>κ</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow></math></span>) leads to weaker binding. The study also shows that the average distance between the electron and impurities is sensitive to the angular position of the impurities and decreases under the influence of an electric field. These findings underscore the crucial role of quantum ring geometry, external fields, and impurity interactions in shaping the electronic properties of nanoscale devices, providing valuable insights for the development of advanced quantum-based technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03155"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparative study of estimation methods for the New Sine Topp-Leone Fréchet distribution","authors":"Amal S. Hassan ,&nbsp;Emadeldin I.A. Ali ,&nbsp;Hanene Hamdani ,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Gemeay ,&nbsp;Ahmed W. Shawki ,&nbsp;Mohammed Elgarhy","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modeling and fitting complex datasets are crucial domains in various scientific fields. This article presents the sine Topp-Leone Fréchet distribution, a new probability distribution obtained by integrating the Fréchet distribution with the sine Topp-Leone-G family. The suggested model’s most noteworthy feature is its ability to accurately represent a broad variety of hazard rate patterns (such as upside-down, reversed J-shaped, decreasing, and increasing) with just three parameters. Its density may also display unimodal, reversed-J, and right-skewed shapes. We offer a number of statistical properties for the proposed distribution. Using sixteen different estimation approaches, we estimated the parameters of the suggested model and investigated a number of its distributional characteristics. We evaluate the validity of the suggested model and compare the efficacy of various parameter estimates using a Monte Carlo simulation. Numerical analysis shows that the Kolmogorov and second-order left-tail Anderson–Darling estimators exhibit superior efficiency and consistency in a variety of scenarios. They frequently receive the highest overall ranking based on the sum of all performance criteria and consistently produce estimates with low bias and mean squared error. Additionally, we evaluated the suggested distribution’s adaptability using two real-world datasets, demonstrating its remarkable ability to precisely fit the data. According to our findings, the suggested distribution performs better in terms of fit quality than a cotangent Fréchet, odd exponential-logarithmic Fréchet, Topp-Leone Fréchet, odd-generalized exponential inverse Weibull, generalized inverse Weibull distribution, arctan inverse Weibull, new arctan Fréchet, and Fréchet distributions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03142"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of child survival in Ghana: A multi-level survival analysis of individual and contextual factors","authors":"Dieu Donne Yormekpe ,&nbsp;Benedicta Osei","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates child survival determinants in Ghana using a multi-level survival analysis of the 2006, 2011 and 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (n=13,125). We employed Cox proportional hazards, parametric accelerated failure time (AFT) and gamma frailty models to assess individual and contextual factors influencing under-five mortality, accounting for unobserved heterogeneity. Key findings reveal a wealth-mortality relationship, with middle-wealth households showing lower mortality (HR=0.60, TR=1.44) compared to low-wealth, while rich households exhibited higher risks (HR=1.84, TR=0.64). Maternal education significantly reduces mortality risk (primary: HR=0.69, TR=1.28; secondary+: HR=0.86, TR=1.12). Institutional deliveries lower mortality by 29%–43% (TR=1.29–1.43). Northern regions (Upper West: HR=2.53, TR=0.50; Northern: HR=2.24, TR=0.56) face elevated risks, reflecting structural disparities. Gamma frailty models revealed a significant frailty variance (<span><math><mrow><mi>θ</mi><mo>&gt;</mo><mn>0</mn></mrow></math></span>), confirming substantial unobserved heterogeneity across regions and indicating that unmeasured, region-specific factors influence child mortality. The Weibull AFT model provided the best fit (AIC=21,999.45), highlighting early-life mortality risks. The policy implications are clear that interventions must be spatially targeted and move beyond simple wealth stratification, requiring specific environmental and infrastructural improvements tailored to high-risk and economically disparate areas of Ghana.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03124"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forecasting temperature data for two counties in California using the stress–strength reliability of the MO q-GEVL distribution: A return level based approach and time series","authors":"Eslam Abdelhakim Seyam ,&nbsp;Shimaa Wasfy Sadk ,&nbsp;Ibrahim A. Fares ,&nbsp;Rasha Abd El-Wahab Attwa","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03207","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03207","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this article, the stress–strength reliability (<span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>S</mi><mi>R</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>P</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>X</mi><mo>&lt;</mo><mi>Y</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span>), where both stress <span><math><mi>X</mi></math></span> and strength <span><math><mi>Y</mi></math></span> follow a new model called Marshall Olkin’s q extended generalized extreme value linear distribution (<span><math><mi>M</mi></math></span>-<span><math><mrow><mi>q</mi><mi>GEVL</mi></mrow></math></span>) under type II progressive censoring, is investigated. The <span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>S</mi><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> estimation is considered using both maximum likelihood estimation (<span><math><mrow><mi>M</mi><mi>L</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></math></span>) and Bayesian estimation (<span><math><mrow><mi>B</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></math></span>). Since the <span><math><mrow><mi>M</mi><mi>L</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></math></span> equations are extremely complex, a metaheuristic optimization technique called the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) is utilized. The <span><math><mrow><mi>B</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></math></span> is considered for both informative and non informative cases using both Linex and square error loss functions. Temperature data from Sacramento and Los Angeles counties in California are also used to demonstrate the proposed statistical methodology, showing that the <span><math><mrow><mi>M</mi><mtext>-</mtext><mi>q</mi><mi>G</mi><mi>E</mi><mi>V</mi><mi>L</mi></mrow></math></span> model provides a better fit than both <span><math><mrow><mi>q</mi><mi>G</mi><mi>E</mi><mi>V</mi><mi>L</mi></mrow></math></span> and <span><math><mrow><mi>G</mi><mi>E</mi><mi>V</mi><mi>L</mi></mrow></math></span> based on lower <span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>K</mi></mrow></math></span>, <span><math><mrow><mi>A</mi><mi>I</mi><mi>C</mi></mrow></math></span>, and <span><math><mrow><mi>B</mi><mi>I</mi><mi>C</mi></mrow></math></span> values. Time series analysis, return level, and <span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>S</mi><mi>R</mi></mrow></math></span> are applied to predict future temperatures, and the results consistently indicate higher predicted temperatures in Los Angeles than in Sacramento.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03207"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the influence of smart grids policy and regulatory framework on electricity revenue generation: The case of South Africa","authors":"Oladimeji Joseph Ayamolowo,&nbsp;K. Kusakana","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the world transitions toward a low-carbon economy using digital technologies. Smart grid technologies have been deployed in countries around the world by integrating renewable energy, digital monitoring, and intelligent control systems in a bid to meet the net-zero carbon emission goal while enhancing operational efficiency and revenue collection. This study gives a comprehensive review of the strides made by the South Africa energy sector towards the realization of a smart energy sector. It further investigates the influence of smart grid (SG) policies and regulatory frameworks on electricity revenue generation in South Africa. The research identified Strategic National Smart Grid Vision (2024) and the South African Smart Grids Initiative (SASGI) as central programs by the South African National Energy Development Institute which drives this smart grid transformation. Key research findings reveal that policy alignment and regulatory reforms have improved billing accuracy, reduced non-technical losses, and increased municipal revenues through smart metering and advanced monitoring systems. However, challenges persist in investment, infrastructure modernization, and consumer participation. The study concludes that a robust, well-coordinated regulatory environment and sustained investment are essential to achieving South Africa’s 2030 smart grid targets and fostering a resilient, intelligent energy future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03264"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147395289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of climate change on the dynamics of small Sahelian water bodies over the period 1972-2020: a case study in the Logone-Cameroon floodplain (Lake Chad basin)","authors":"Solange Léonie Piih ,&nbsp;Guillaume Ewodo Mboudou ,&nbsp;André Firmin Bon ,&nbsp;Raoul Wappouo","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Studies conducted in recent years in the Lake Chad basin indicate a considerable decrease in the lake's surface area, attributed to rainfall deficits observed across Africa for more than 25 years. However, the dynamics of small water bodies remain poorly understood in other parts of the Chad Basin, where ponds play an important role in socio-economic development. The objective of this study was to characterize the spatio-temporal dynamics (1972–2020) of small water bodies in the Cameroonian part of the Lake Chad basin. The work consisted of assessing meteorological drought and processing and supervised classification of 42 satellite imagery coupled with field data. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values ranged from 2.154 to -2.509, illustrating the uniformity of climatic conditions and a rainfall profile with alternating normal (1972–1979), dry (1980–1997), and wet (1998–2020) periods. These climatic conditions lead to contrasting patterns of flooding and drought during different seasons, contributing to distinct dynamics in water surface areas extracted with an overall accuracy of 98.77 % and a Kappa coefficient of 0.97 %. Changes in water surface areas between wet and dry periods indicated significant dynamics with a high risk of flooding and very high vulnerability to drought. Correlation coefficients illustrate the relationship between short-term drought (SPI3) and surface water resources. Wet conditions (&gt; 0.3 km²) control water availability in the dry season, but its sustainability depends on the intensity of external inflows and water pumping. Some ponds showed similar average interannual hydrological conditions with corresponding average climatic conditions. Diffuse behaviors indicate complex dynamics that limit water availability in some areas, sometimes leading to local disturbances. These results improve our understanding of how the Sahelian plains function and can provide guidance on post-flood water use in order to ensure water availability, protect communities, and preserve socio-ecosystems in the face of contemporaneous challenges that are sometimes unavoidable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03270"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147395302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the apoptosis-inducing potential of Syzygium cimini leaves in cancer treatment; LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, biological assessments, and computational studies","authors":"Ahmed A. Al-Karmalawy ,&nbsp;Mohamed E. Eissa ,&nbsp;Rehab F. Taher ,&nbsp;Tarek A. Yousef ,&nbsp;Arwa Omar Al Khatib ,&nbsp;Marwa Sharaky ,&nbsp;Radwan Alnajjar ,&nbsp;Haidy A. Abbas","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study provides a novel, integrated phytochemical and biological profiling of <em>S. cumini</em> leaves, differentiating it through its computational and experimental focus on the caspase-mediated apoptotic pathway. Herein, sixty-nine (69) compounds were tentatively identified in the methanol extract of <em>Syzygium cumini</em> leaves, with 45 of these compounds found only in the hexane extract. The IC_50s of the methanol extract of <em>Syzygium cumini</em> leaves were recorded towards eight diverse cancer cell lines. The methanol extract showed very strong anticancer activities against MDA-MB-468, HEPG2, and H1299 cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 13.16, 10.60, and 20.55 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the methanol extract of <em>Syzygium cumini</em> leaves was further examined for its apoptotic potential as a proposed mechanism for its anticancer activity. Interestingly, the expression of the proapoptotic markers (Caspases 3, 6, and 7, and BAX) was upregulated with a fold change of 1.29, 2.02, 1.95, and 3.52, respectively. On the other hand, the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (MMP2, MMP9, and Bcl-2) was dramatically decreased by 1.78, 1.84, and 2.07-fold change, respectively. Additionally, a molecular docking study against Caspase 6 clarified that kaempferol malonyl-hexoside, kaempferol-<em>O</em>-(<em>p</em>-coumaroyl)-hexoside, and quercetin-<em>O</em>-hexoside-pentoside showed superior docking scores compared to the Co-crystal inhibitor. Moreover, a molecular dynamics simulation for 500 ns was implemented to validate the docking results and confirm the stability of these compounds within the active site of the Caspase 6 enzyme. Additionally, the MM-GBSA calculations and ADME pharmacokinetic properties were evaluated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of aquaculture methods, socio-economic benefits, and challenges faced by small-scale fish farmers in Chiredzi Rural District, Zimbabwe","authors":"Rodney T Muringai,&nbsp;Walter Musakwa","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e03128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aquaculture plays a pivotal role in enhancing food security and socioeconomic development, particularly in rural areas. In the Chiredzi Rural District, aquaculture is expanding rapidly to improve food and nutrition security, while enhancing livelihoods and climate resilience. However, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding aquaculture methods, socio-economic benefits, and challenges faced by small-scale fish farmers in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the methods used by fish farmers, assess the socio-economic benefits, and identify the challenges they face in the Chiredzi Rural District of Zimbabwe. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the target wards and the farmers. A semi-structured survey questionnaire was administered to 120 fish farmers in Wards 9 (Twananani), 10 (Batanai) and 11 (Chikombedzi). The findings show that 85 % of farmers use earthen pond systems and mainly cultivate Nile Tilapia. Aquaculture is not profitable in the Chiredzi Rural District, but it contributes to food and nutritional security. The main challenges for fish farmers include adverse weather, disease, and limited technical assistance. To enhance the sustainability and profitability of small-scale aquaculture in Chiredzi Rural District, it is recommended that local government and development partners invest in targeted technical support and climate-resilient infrastructure for fish farmers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03128"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145738027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integration of subsurface and outcrop data to evaluate the mineralogy, geochemistry, and hydrocarbon potentiality of Duwi black shale Formation at Kharga and Dakhla depressions, Western Desert, Egypt","authors":"Samar R. Soliman ,&nbsp;Yasser F. Salama ,&nbsp;Ibrahim M. Abd ElGaied ,&nbsp;Mohamed I. El-Sayed ,&nbsp;Gebely A Abu El-Kheir ,&nbsp;Zakaria M. Abd-Allah","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2026.e03239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The black shale successions in Egypt remain insufficiently investigated, particularly with respect to their geochemical and mineralogical properties. Accordingly, this study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the Cretaceous Duwi Formation in the Kharga and Dakhla depressions of Egypt’s Western Desert through an integrated geological, mineralogical, and geochemical approach. This work is based on several geochemical analyses, such as XRD, XRF, total (sulfur, organic carbon, and carbon), Rock Eval Pyrolysis (RE-P), and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography that were undertaken on the collected black shale samples. Mineralogical results confirm that smectite and kaolinite are the primary clay components in Mut-Manflout. A strong correlation between major oxides and common trace elements reveals a detrital provenance; by contrast, the elevated chemical index of alteration reflects an intensive degree of weathering within outcrop samples. Geochemical outcomes reveal that the core and outcrop samples remain thermally immature, with TOC fluctuating between 0.19 and 1.59 wt.%, a limit of poor potential within outcrop samples, whereas it ranges from 0.27 to 3.57 wt.%, a limit of excellent potential within core samples. The studied core samples are classified as Type I–II to Type II–III kerogen, representing the reliable limit of the oil-gas-prone area, while the outcrop samples are classified as Type III–IV kerogen, indicating a gas-prone limit. A notable association between TOC level and S₁+S₂ value indicates good generation potential for primary core shale samples; however, reflects a poor category for the outcrop shale samples at the selected sections. Collectively, the findings highlight the Duwi Formation black shales as an underexplored unconventional resource with variable hydrocarbon potential across the Kharga and Dakhla depressions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"31 ","pages":"Article e03239"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}