Mobilization of Cu and Zn in contaminated soil by nitrilotriacetic acid

Batch and upflow column leaching experiments were used to evaluate the nature and extent of Cu and Zn solubilization from contaminated soil by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in 0.025 M NaClO₄. In batch soil suspensions, NTA levels of 10^?5 to 10^?3 M substantially promoted Cu and Zn release from the metal-enriched soil. The ability of NTA to enhance Cu and Zn solubility decreased with increasing solution acidity probably due to competitive binding of NTA by protons and Fe released by hydrous oxide dissolution. However, in the pH range typically encountered in northeastern U.S. soils, soluble metal levels were nearly constant for a given NTA concentration. Leaching soil columns with NTA solutions enhanced Cu release more than Zn, as the enrichment ratio (cumulative metal leached by NTA compared to the 0.025 M NaClO₄ control leachate) after 85 pore volumes displacements was 23.6 and 4.3 for Cu and Zn, respectively. While Cu release by 0.01 M CaCl₂ differed little from the control, 0.01 M CaCl₂ was substantially more effective than 10^?5 M NTA in displacing bound Zn. The data reflect different retention mechanisms for Cu and Zn in this soil.     

Effects of single-tree and group selection harvesting on the diversity and abundance of spring forest herbs in deciduous forests in southwestern Ontario

Selection harvesting, by mimicking natural disturbance regimes of eastern deciduous hardwood forests, has been applied as a sustainable management practice that combines wood production with biodiversity conservation. However, the effects of this technique on understory herbs are unclear, particularly for spring ephemerals which have been suggested as sensitive to disturbance. Here, we experimentally assess the immediate effects of single-tree and group selection harvesting on spring ephemeral richness, diversity and abundance in deciduous forests of southwestern Ontario, Canada. Spring herbs were quantified in 4 m² plots before and one growing season after harvesting and compared to similar uncut, reference stands. The percent of species lost was significantly higher in reference than harvested plots. Mean species richness significantly increased after harvesting, predominately due to an increase in spring–summer species. Increases in the diversity of early spring flowering species were significantly greater in the group selection plots than reference plots. At the community level, no species appeared to be vulnerable to harvesting, and ordination analysis indicated that post-harvest communities were primarily determined by pre-harvest community composition. Furthermore, no species declined in abundance in response to harvesting, and overall percent cover increased proportionately more in single-tree selection plots than in group selection or reference plots. While harvesting appears to have negligible effects on spring ephemerals immediately following harvest, we recommend additional studies over longer time frames to assess possible successional effects and to discriminate treatment induced changes from naturally high yearly variation in species composition.     

Research needs for restoring seasonal tropical forests in Thailand: accelerated natural regeneration

Accelerated natural regeneration (ANR) is a relatively cheap method of reforestation, which encourages natural establishment of indigenous trees and shrubs. It requires a low input of labour, but a high input of ecological information. In this paper, the knowledge required to predict and manipulate the natural regeneration of seasonal tropical forest is reviewed and areas in need of further research are identified. Regeneration will be influenced by five groups of potentially limiting factors; site resources (soil and microclimate); competition with weeds; site disturbance; occurrence of established woody plants or their propagules; seed dispersal by wild animals and birds. This paper considers each of these, their interactions with seasons, and each other. Collation of existing information on these topics, combined with the suggested further research, should facilitate the creation of tools that will enable practitioners to judge the regeneration potential of sites and to select the most appropriate ANR techniques.     

Influence of electrolytes on EDTA extraction of Pb from polluted soil

Because the economics of soil extraction processes depend on conservation and reuse of costly chelating agents, the ability of various electrolytes to modify EDTA extraction of Pb from a grossly-contaminated soil (Pb_T=21%) was investigated using batch equilibration experiments. In the absence of added electrolyte, a single 5-hr. extraction with 0.04 M EDTA (corresponding to 1∶1 Pb_T to EDTA ratio) released 65% of Pb_T over the pH 5 to 9 range. Under these conditions, Na⁺-, Li⁺-, and NH₄ClO₄ salts at 0.5 M increased Pb desorption to nearly 80%, probably from exchange displacement of soilbound Pb²⁺ and increased solubility of Pb-containing phases at higher ionic strength. Because Cl^? and ClO₄ ^? salts were equally effective, chlorocomplex formation was insignificant. Under slightly acidic conditions, Ca(ClO₄)₂ and Mg(ClO₄)₂ at 0.167 M caused roughly the same elevation in Pb recovery as 0.5M of the monovalent electrolytes. However, with progressively higher pH, Ca, and to a lesser extent Mg, suppressed Pb solubilization by competitive chelation of EDTA. Pb recovery by EDTA soil washing could be enhanced by addition of Ca salts at pH 4 to 6. Subsequent pH elevation in the presence of Ca would promote decomposition of Pb-EDTA complexes and separation of Pb as a hydroxide precipitate.     

Suppurative lesions in the carcasses,viscera and joints of dairy cattle

Extract

This paper reports the diagnosis and spread of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle on the east coast of the North Island. The suspected origin, difficulty in diagnosis, and the spread are discussed from the practitioner's viewpoint.     

Tylosin detection in animal feed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with enzymatic hydrolysis of the tylosin urea adduct

When the use of tylosin as a feed additive was forbidden by Council Regulation 2821/98, the necessity of a chemical confirmation method for the monitoring of the ban was created. Recently a method was developed for the detection of tylosin in animal feed by means of LC-MS/MS. During the validation high deviating values for the decision limit, detection capability, and repeatability for tylosin in cattle feed were observed, and the presence of urea and the formation of a tylosin urea adduct (TUA) were suggested as possible explanations. In this study two hydrolysis approaches for the TUA adduct were compared, namely, a chemical hydrolysis and an enzymatic hydrolysis with urease. The latter yielded a more complete hydrolysis of urea and was used for further validation. The recovery increased by approximately 15-25% depending on the amount of urea present in the feed (0.5-2%). The decision limit and detection capability were hardly influenced by the enzymatic hydrolysis.     

A solid‐phase buffer technique to maintain low concentrations of phosphate in nutrient solutions

An inexpensive and mechanically simple technique has been developed to maintain realistically low P concentrations in nutrient solutions using a solid‐phase buffer. Phosphate is adsorbed on alumina in a PVC column, and the resulting alumina‐F is desorbed against nutrient solution circulated through the column. Kinetics of P adsorption and desorption indicate that the solid‐phase‐P has rapidly and slowly desorbing components and that buffering capacity is limited by desorption from the solid phase. The technique has been used to maintain F concentrations as low as 0.4 minol m^‐3 for 26 days in experiments with maize (Zea mays L.), and in solution cultures with prune (Prunus domestica L.) trees. Effects of P supply on P accumulation and P transport are discussed.     

Variables controlling denitrification from earthworm casts and soil in permanent pastures

Summary Denitrification (using the acetylene block method) was determined in earthworm casts and soils from permanent, drained or undrained pasture plots fertilized with 0 or 200 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 as ammonium nitrate. Rates of N₂O production from soil cores were about three times higher from the fertilized than from the unfertilized plots while drainage had a relatively small effect. Denitrification rates from casts were 3–5 times higher than those from soil irrespective of the drainage treatment. Casts generally had higher NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and moisture contents, and higher microbial respiration rates than soil. Rates of N₂O production were determined primarily by NO _inf3 ^sup- supply, secondarily by moisture; available C did not appear to limit denitrification in these pastures. Estimates of the potential contribution of casts to denitrification ranges from 10.1% of 29.3 kg ha^-1 year^-1 from the unfertilized, drained plot to 22% of 82.5 kg ha^-1 year^-1 from the fertilized undrained plot.