Elements in water,suspended particulate matter and sediments of the Sava River

Purpose

River ecosystems are under pressure from several different stressors. Among these, inorganic pollutants contribute to multiple stressor situations and the overall degradation of the ecological status of the aquatic environments. The main sources of pollution include different industrial activities, untreated effluents from municipal waste waters and intensive agriculture. In the present study, water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments of the Sava River were studied in order to assess the pollution status of this river system.

Materials and methods

Sampling was performed during the first sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2014, at 18 selected sampling sites along the Sava River. In 2014, floods predominated from spring to fall. Water samples were collected to determine the total element concentrations, the dissolved (0.45 μm) fraction and element concentrations in SPM. In order to assure comparative results with other river basins, the fraction below 63 μm was analysed in sediments. The extent of pollution was estimated by determination of the total element concentrations and by the identification of the most hazardous highly mobile element fractions (extraction 0.11 mol L^?1 acetic acid) and anthropogenic inputs of elements to sediments (normalization to aluminium (Al) concentration). Concentrations of selected elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results and discussion

Since during sampling campaign the water level was extremely high, water samples contained high amounts of SPM (in general between 80 and 100 mg L^?1). The data of chemical analysis revealed that concentrations of elements in water, SPM and sediments in general increase along the Sava River from its origin to the confluence with the Danube River. Elevated concentrations of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in SPM and sediments were observed at industrially exposed sites. Concentrations of Cr and Ni in sediments were up to 320 and 250 mg kg^?1, respectively. Nevertheless, these elements were present in sparingly soluble forms and hence did not represent an environmental threat. Phosphorus (P) was found in elevated concentrations (up to 1500 mg kg^?1) at regions with intensive agricultural activities and cities with dense population.

Conclusions

With respect to element concentrations, the pollution of the Sava River is similar to other moderately polluted European rivers. The data from the present study are beneficial for the water management authorities and can contribute to sustainable utilization, management and protection of the Sava River water resources.

     

Effect of a novel topical diester glucocorticoid spray on immediate- and late-phase cutaneous allergic reactions in Maltese–beagle atopic dogs: a placebo-controlled study

The inhibitory effect of 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray on immediate- and late-phase skin reactions and the duration of inhibition after medication withdrawal were studied in 10 Maltese-beagle atopic dogs. All subjects were sprayed on axillary and inguinal regions and on one randomly chosen side of the thorax once daily for 14 (phase 1) or 7 days (phase 2). Intradermal injections (IDT) of histamine and anticanine IgE antiserum were performed bilaterally on the thorax before, 7 and 14 days after treatment. During phase 2, IDT was performed once weekly for 5 weeks. Each IDT was evaluated by an investigator blinded to the site of active treatment. Skin biopsies of 24-h anti-IgE-associated late-phase reactions were collected from both thoracic sides before and 14 days after treatment to determine the number of inflammatory cells and dermal thickness. Phase 1 : Histamine and anti-IgE-induced global wheal scores at treated sites were significantly lower after 7 and 14 days with negative reactions present in >90% of dogs. Late-phase reactions at both sides were also significantly decreased compared with that at baseline, and this was associated with reduced inflammatory cell influx. Moreover, a significant decrease in dermal thickness was recorded at treated sides after 14 days. Phase 2 : Histamine reactions became positive at untreated sides in all dogs 2 weeks after treatment. In conclusion, the 0.0584% hydrocortisone aceponate spray significantly decreased immediate- and late-phase IDT reactions, and prolonged application caused skin atrophy at treated sites. A 2-week withdrawal period prior to IDT is proposed.     

Comorbidity of ectopic thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis and pemphigus foliaceus in a cat

An 8-year-old cat was presented with pruritus, purulent paronychia, scaling, crusting, and spontaneous alopecia. Histopathology revealed intraepidermal neutrophilic pustular acantholytic dermatitis and hyperkeratotic cytotoxic interface dermatitis. No thoracic mass was seen on a lateral radiograph. Ectopic thymoma was discovered on necropsy. This case highlights the necessity for thorough investigation of any case of feline exfoliative dermatitis and pemphigus foliaceus for the presence of thymoma.Key clinical message:Comorbidity of exfoliative dermatitis and pemphigus foliaceus in a cat should prompt a thorough investigation for presence of a thymoma, possibly with advanced imaging techniques.     

Extremwetterlagen und Schaderreger – extreme Wissenslücken

Here we reviewed the possible impacts of weather extremes on pests (weeds, insect pests and plant pathogens) of wine, hope, apple and asparagus by analyzing scientific literature published since 1945, concerning the knowledge about the influences of extreme weather on incidence of these pests. A weather extreme event is generally defined as the occurrence of a value of a weather variable above or below a threshold value near the upper or lower tails of the range of observed values of the variable (IPCC). Although there are still many open scientific questions, climate change will likely lead to increase the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration and timing of weather and climate extremes and can result in unprecedented extremes. After considering all the results of derivative analysis, we concluded that the knowledge gap is enormously. Only 13 papers were found. These few papers concerning the influence of storm, hail, flooding, dryness or heavy down pours on the pests of apple (10 papers), asparagus (2 papers) or wine (1 paper). Thus projections of future impacts of extreme weather on plant pests and yields cannot be made with a high level of confidence. More research to get more primary results and data is needed urgently.     

Pharmacokinetics of the low molecular weight heparin dalteparin in cats

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is used as an anticoagulant in cats although only limited pharmacokinetic data are available in this species. The aim of the present study was to establish the pharmacokinetics of dalteparin in cats based on anti-FXa heparin activities. Groups of clinically healthy cats (six animals per treatment) received individual LMWH injections at three different doses intravenously (IV) (25, 50, 100 anti-factor Xa international units [IU anti-FXa]/kg) or subcutaneously (SC) (50, 100, 200 IU anti-FXa/kg). Blood samples were collected before and at various times after injection. Anti-FXa activity was measured with a chromogenic substrate test. Following IV injection, maximum plasma heparin activities (C(max)) were 0.67 ± 0.14, 1.44 ± 0.22 and 2.87 ± 0.38 IU anti-FXa/mL, respectively. The calculated mean half-life (t(?)) was between 39 and 57 min and was not significantly dose-dependent (P=0.139). The volume of distribution (35-39 mL/kg) was almost equivalent to the plasma volume. After SC injection, C(max) values of 0.41 ± 0.10, 0.86 ± 0.17 or 1.91 ± 0.16 IU anti-FXa/mL, respectively, were calculated at 91-110 min post-injection. The t(?) values were between 106 and 122 min and were not significantly influenced by dose (P=0.784). The bioavailability after SC injection was approximately 100%. The high bioavailability of the SC administered LMWH dalteparin in cats was consistent with other species and indicated predictable blood levels. However, the comparatively short t(?) may indicate the necessity of multiple daily injections, which should be verified in clinical trials.     

Short-term carbon mineralization in saline–sodic soils

Previous studies have shown that carbon (C) mineralization in saline or sodic soils is affected by various factors including organic C content, salt concentration and water content in saline soils and soil structure in sodic soils, but there is little information about which soil properties control carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission from saline-sodic soils. In this study, eight field-collected saline–sodic soils, varying in electrical conductivity (EC_e, a measure of salinity, ranging from 3 to 262 dS m⁻¹) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_e, a measure of sodicity, ranging from 11 to 62), were left unamended or amended with mature wheat or vetch residues (2% w/w). Carbon dioxide release was measured over 42 days at constant temperature and soil water content. Cumulative respiration expressed per gram SOC increased in the following order: unamended soil<soil amended with wheat residues (C/N ratio 122)<soil with vetch residue (C/N ratio 18). Cumulative respiration was significantly (p < 0.05) negatively correlated with EC_e but not with SAR_e. Our results show that the response to EC_e and SAR_e of the microbial community activated by addition of organic C does not differ from that of the less active microbial community in unamended soils and that salinity is the main influential factor for C mineralization in saline–sodic soils.     

Carbon mineralization in saline soils as affected by residue composition and water potential

In saline soils under semi-arid climate, low matric and osmotic potential are the main stressors for microbes. But little is known about the impact of water potential (sum of matric and osmotic potential) and substrate composition on microbial activity and biomass in field collected saline soils. Three sandy loam soils with electrical conductivity of the saturated soil extract (EC_e) 3.8, 11 and 21 dS m^?1 (hereafter referred to EC3.8, EC11 and EC21) were kept at optimal water content for 14 days. After this pre-incubation, the soils were either left at optimal water content or dried to achieve water potentials of ?2.33, ?2.82, ?3.04 and ?4.04 MPa. Then, the soils were amended with 20 g?kg^?1 pea or wheat residue to increase nutrient supply. Carbon dioxide emission was measured over 14 days; microbial biomass C was measured at the end of the experiment. Cumulative respiration decreased with decreasing water potential and was significantly (P?<?0.05) lower in soils at water potential ?4 MPa than in soils at optimal water content. The effect of residue type on the response of cumulative respiration was inconsistent; with residue type having no effect in the saline soils (EC11 and EC21) whereas in the non-saline soil (EC3.8), the decrease in respiration with decreasing water potential was less with wheat than with pea residue. At a given water potential, the absolute and relative (in percentage of optimal water content) cumulative respiration was lower in the saline soils than in the non-saline soil. This can be explained by the lower osmotic potential and the smaller microbial biomass in the saline soils. However, even at a similar osmotic potential, cumulative respiration was higher in the non-saline soil. It can be concluded that high salt concentrations in the soil solution strongly reduce microbial activity even if the water content is relatively high. The stronger relative decrease in microbial activity in the saline soils at a given osmotic potential compared to the non-saline soil suggests that the small biomass in saline soils is less able to tolerate low osmotic potential. Hence, drying of soil will have a stronger negative effect on microbial activity in saline than in non-saline soils.     

Salinity and sodicity affect soil respiration and dissolved organic matter dynamics differentially in soils varying in texture

The individual effects of salinity and sodicity on organic matter dynamics are well known but less is known about their interactive effects. We conducted a laboratory incubation experiment to assess soil respiration and dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics in response to salinity and sodicity in two soils of different texture. Two non-saline non-sodic soils (a sand and a sandy clay loam) were leached 3–4 times with solutions containing different concentrations of NaCl and CaCl₂ to reach almost identical electrical conductivity (EC_1:5) in both soils (EC_1:5 0.5, 1.3, 2.5 and 4.0 dS m^?1 in the sand and EC_1:5 0.7, 1.4, 2.5 and 4.0 dS m^?1 in the sandy clay loam) combined with two sodium absorption ratios: SAR < 3 and 20. Finely ground wheat straw residue was added (20 g kg^?1) as substrate to stimulate microbial activity. Cumulative respiration was more strongly affected by EC than by SAR. It decreased by 8% at EC 1.3 and by 60% at EC 4.0 in the sand, whereas EC had no effect on respiration in the sandy clay loam. The apparent differential sensitivity to EC in the two soils can be explained by their different water content and therefore, different osmotic potential at the same EC. At almost similar osmotic potential: ?2.92 MPa in sand (at EC 1.3) and ?2.76 MPa in the sandy clay loam (at EC 4.0) the relative decrease in respiration was similar (8–9%). Sodicity had little effect on cumulative respiration in the soils, but DOC, DON and specific ultra-violet absorbance (SUVA) were significantly higher at SAR 20 than at SAR < 3 in combination with low EC in both soils (EC 0.5 in the sand and EC 0.7 and 1.4 in the sandy clay loam). Therefore, high SAR in combination with low EC is likely to increase the risk of DOC and DON leaching in the salt-affected soils, which may lead to further soil degradation.