1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Flow Characteristics in Saturated Homogeneous and Stratified Porous Media

Aerosol samples were continuously collected at Rishiri Island, Japan and concentrations of trace metals and water-soluble ionic constituents in the aerosol samples were measured in this study. Trace metal concentrations were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry equipped with a laser ablation sample introduction (LA/ICP-MS), which is a rapid and simultaneous method for multi-element analysis. The average concentrations of trace metals and water-soluble ionic constituents in TSP at Rishiri Island from March 2001 to October 2003 were: Al: 251 ± 371 (n= 359), Ti: 27 ± 38 (n= 342), V: 1.3 ± 1.6 (n= 327), Cr: 2.0 ± 2.2 (n= 202), Mn: 8.6 ± 12.0 (n= 353), Fe: 356 ± 645 (n= 349), Co: 0.18 ± 0.25 (n= 250), Ni: 1.9 ± 3.4 (n= 232), Cu: 7.4 ± 10.2 (n= 123), Zn: 16 ± 20 (n= 242), As: 1.2 ± 2.1 (n= 312), Se: 0.49 ± 0.65 (n= 133), Cd: 0.19 ± 0.33 (n= 285), Sb: 0.46 ± 0.62 (n= 265), Pb: 16 ± 30 (n= 314), Na⁺: 1153 ± 1384 (n= 306), NH₄ ⁺: 247 ± 257 (n= 254), K⁺: 74 ± 63 (n= 284), Ca²⁺: 144 ± 174 (n= 294), Mg²⁺: 150 ± 161 (n= 293), Cl^?: 2703 ± 3151 (n= 180), NO₃ ^?: 339 ± 415 (n= 332), SO₄ ^2?: 1648 ± 1398 (n= 362) (unit: ng m^?3). The obtained trace metal concentration levels in the aerosol were 1/10–1/70 of those obtained at Beijing, China and 1/2–1/40 of those obtained at Tokyo, Japan. The correlation between Al, Ti, Mn, and Fe, which were derived mainly from soil dust, was high at Rishiri Island. High-concentration events (when the measured value exceeds the average +3σ for the entire observation period) for each chemical constituent were observed several times per year, although the chemical concentration levels in TSP at Rishiri Island were almost constant throughout the year. The high-concentration phenomenon, which occurred in only 2% of the measurement days, raised the average concentration of the atmospheric chemical constituents at Rishiri Island by about 10%. The average value of the Pb/Zn ratio at Rishiri Island during the entire period was 1.8 ± 2.9, which is higher than 1. This suggests that the atmosphere at Rishiri Island has constantly been receiving contaminants from the Asian Continent. We conclude that the chemical constituents in the aerosol at Rishiri Island have been regularly transported from a wide area across the Asian Continent.     

Genetic variation of the durum wheat landrace Haurani from different agro-ecological regions

The durum wheat landrace Haurani (Triticum durum Desf.) is grown under contrasting climatic regions of Syria from Deir Ezzor, in the North-East (230 m altitude, 150 mm mean annual rainfall), to Qunaytra, in the South-West (1060 m altitude, 825 mm mean annual rainfall). In order to assess the genetic variation between and within Haurani populations, samples from eight provinces of Syria (Daraa, Damascus, Qunaytra, Deir Ezzor, Hassakeh, Aleppo, Homs and Hama) were analysed by RFLPs and seed storage proteins of glutenin subunits as markers. The analyses showed the presence of genetic polymorphisms in all populations with the highest values in those from Homs and Hassakeh. Moreover, the results point out differences in genetic distances between populations; some populations were further apart, such as Damascus and Aleppo, whereas others were closer to each other, for instance Homs and Hama. Cluster analysis identified two distinct groups of populations, characterized by geographical proximity, with similar rainfall and altitude. It is suggested that the similarity of landraces at locations close to each other might be the result of more frequent seed exchanges between farmers or of gene flow due to 5% estimated outcross rate of Haurani.     

Mycorrhizae activity and diversity in conventional and organic apple orchards from Brazil

The aim of this study was to characterize the impacts of a conventional, an organic apple orchard and a native grassland on the activity and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) located at the south of Brazil during winter and summer. AMF activity was measured by the mycorrhizal inoculum potential (MIP), mycorrhizal fungal hyphal length (HL), easily extractable and total Bradford-reactive soil protein (BRSP). AMF diversity was represented by richness, Shannon diversity index and number of spores. Orchards reduced the MIP of the soil and increased the HL when compared to the grassland site. The amount of easily extractable BRSP was not different among orchards and between seasons evaluated, with overall mean value of 1.23 mg g⁻¹. However, the amount of total-BRSP was smaller in the conventional orchard (4.55 mg g⁻¹) than in the organic orchard (4.91 mg g⁻¹) and in the native grassland (5.12 mg g⁻¹). T-BRSP and total organic carbon were strongly correlated in the grassland during the winter, suggesting the contribution of this protein for carbon stocks in the native soil of this region. The organic orchard presented the highest AMF richness, but sporulation and Shannon diversity index were larger in the conventional orchard. Our data suggest that the conventional orchard promoted higher impacts on the natural condition of AMF activity, being considered an unadvisable practice to soil conservation.     

The agronomic benefit of phosphate rock application with elemental sulfur depends on the reactivity and fertilizer placement

Abstract

A possible way to improve phosphate rock (PR) agronomic performance is through the addition of elemental sulfur (S⁰). We used ³²P isotope dilution method to assess the P taken up by crops treated with PR. Two experiments, one with common bean and other with upland rice, were carried out, to evaluate the effect of S⁰ on the agronomic performance of two contrasting PR, applied in different methods. Gafsa (GPR) and Patos de Minas (PPR) were used as the high and low reactivity PR, respectively. The experiments were arranged in completely randomized design on factorial structure 2?×?2 × 2?+?2; which means 2 PR (GPR and PPR) versus 2?S⁰ condition (with or without-S⁰) versus 2 application methods (band and broadcast) plus 2 additional treatments (control and triple superphosphate). In band application the S⁰ increased the amount of P uptake by plants from fertilizer of GPR from 2.57 to 9.86?mg pot^?1 for common bean and of 2.26 to 7.05?mg pot^?1 to rice. Regardless the management adopted, less than 2% of P applied as PPR has been taken up by crops. The addition of S⁰ as a strategy to increase the agronomic performance of PR is PR characteristics dependent and fertilizers placement.     

PULSED WAVE-DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY IN THE RESTING HORSE: PHYSIOLOGIC DATA

A pulsed wave-Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of common carotid arterial blood flow was carried out on 63 healthy Italian Saddlebred horses. Vessel diameter and tracing morphology were evaluated were evaluated and blood flow parameters (systolic, diastolic and mean velocity, acceleration and deceleration of the systolic wave, cartid pulse volume) were calculated and correlated with class variables (sex, age and body weight). On the basis of the presence of an incisure in the ascending branch of the systolic curve, subjects were divided in two groups: one with a bifid systolic curve and the other with a monophasic aspect. Correlations between: 1) diameter of the vessel and body weight and 2) carotid pulse volume and flow velocity (systolic, diastolic and mean) were found. A greater systolic pulse volume was found in male subjects, in subjects with greater body weight and in those which had a monophasic systolic wave.     

Persistence of benfluralin in soil and its uptake by carrots

Analytical methods are described for the determination of residues of benfluralin in soil and carrots. All plots treated with 1.3 or 1.9 kg benfluralin/ha produced average carrot yields significantly higher than untreated plots. Degradation of benfluralin in soil was very slow during the winter. As the temperature rose, the rate of benfluralin decline was accelerated; 324 days after incorporation, benfluralin residues were reduced to about 11 and 14% of the applied dose. The average total residues of benfluralin found in whole carrots were 210 ± 18 and 240 ± 47 ng/g following doses of 1.3 and 1.9 kg a.i./ha respectively. The peel of carrots contained 92% of the total residue, and there seemed to be little translocation of the compound through the plant tissues.     

3. Beitrag zum Studium des Lymphatischen Systems des Halses bei Ratten (Rattus norvegicus) Vergleich ces lymphatischen Systems bei neugeborenen, jungen und erwachsenen Ratten

The authors have examined the gross anatomy of the lymph-nodes and lymph-vessels of 77 newborn, young and adult white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Anatomical differences occuring in age were described in detail.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic method for perfluidone residues in rice grains and husks

A gas-liquid chromatographic method using electron-capture detection is described for the determination of perfluidone residues in rice grains and husks. The procedure consists of extraction, purification on an anion-exchange resin, methylation and further clean-up (if necessary) by adsorption on “Florisil”. The recoveries from fortified rice grains and husks were respectively 73.5–98% and 77–104% in the range 0.01–0.50 mg/kg. Sensitivity permits detection of perfluidone at 0.005 mg/kg level.     

Liquid Swine Manure Can Kill Verticillium dahliae Microsclerotia in Soil by Volatile Fatty Acid, Nitrous Acid, and Ammonia Toxicity

ABSTRACT In previous studies, liquid swine manure (LSM) was sometimes shown to reduce Verticillium wilt of potato caused by Verticillium dahliae. We also observed that microsclerotia of this fungus died within 1 day, or between 3 and 6 weeks, after addition of LSM to some acid soils and within 1 week in some alkaline soils. In this study, we demonstrated that a volatile fatty acid (VFA) mixture with an identical concentration of VFAs as that found in an effective LSM reduced germination in an acid soil (pH 5.1) to the same extent as the LSM after 1 day of exposure. Germination was reduced by 45, 75, and 90% in the 10, 20, and 40% ([wt/wt] soil moisture) treatments, respectively, with the latter being equivalent to an application of 80 hl/ha. Addition to this acid soil of 19 LSMs (30% [wt/wt] soil moisture) collected from different producers resulted in complete kill of microsclerotia with 12 manures. Effective manures had a total concentration of nonionized forms of VFAs in soil solution of 2.7 mM or higher. In some acid soils (pH 5.8), addition of LSM (40% [wt/wt] soil moisture) did not kill microsclerotia until 3 to 6 weeks later. Here, a reduction in viability of microsclerotia was attributed to the accumulation of 0.06 mM nitrous acid in the soil solution at 4 weeks. When an LSM was added (40% [wt/wt] soil moisture) to an alkaline soil (pH 7.9) where VFAs are not toxic, microsclerotia germination was reduced by 80% after 1 week. Here the pH increased to 8.9 and the concentration of ammonia reached 30 mM in the soil solution. An ammonium chloride solution having an equivalent concentration of ammonium as the manure was shown to have the same spectrum of toxicity as the manure in assays ranging from pH 7 to 9, both in solutions and above the solutions. At pH 9, the concentration of ammonia reached 18 mM and 100% mortality of microsclerotia occurred. Thus, in acid soils, LSM can kill microsclerotia of V. dahliae by VFA and/or nitrous acid toxicity and in alkaline soils by ammonia toxicity. In order to take advantage of these mechanisms for disease reduction, the manure chemical composition, rate of addition, and soil characteristics need to be determined for each instance of use.     

Preliminary results on detection of maize treated with electrons for seed dressing and according decontamination and infestation

Saatgut und Getreide kann mit niederenergetischen Elektronen (<300 kev) oder=" hochenergetischen=" elektronen=" (1–10 mev)=" wirksam=" behandelt=" werden,=" um=" mikroorganismen=" und=" insekten=" abzutöten.=" in=" dieser=" vorläufigen=" studie=" wurde=" mais=" mit=" niederenergetischen=" (125 kev)=" und=" hochenergetischen=" elektronen=" (10 mev)=" behandelt.=" um=" diese=" elektronenbehandlung=" nachzuweisen,=" wurden=" verschiedene=" verfahren=" eingesetzt:=" photostimulierte=" lumineszenz=" (psl),=" thermolumineszenz=" (tl)=" und=" dna-kometentest.=" für=" diese=" drei=" nachweismethoden=" existieren=" bereits=" europäische=" normen=" und=" sie=" sind=" als=">Allgemeine Codex Methoden zum Nachweis bestrahlter Lebensmittel etabliert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass PSL und TL geeignete Verfahren sind, um sowohl eine Behandlung von Mais mit niederenergetischen als auch mit hochenergetischen Elektronen zu erkennen. Der DNA-Kometentest erwies sich als weniger geeignet: die Behandlung mit niederenergetischen Elektronen konnte—wie erwartet—nicht nachgewiesen werden. Die Behandlung mit hochenergetischen Elektronen konnte bei einer Maissorte erkannt werden, jedoch nicht bei einer anderen Sorte.