Selenium Removal from Irrigation Drainage Water Flowing Through Constructed Wetland Cells with Special Attention to Accumulation in Sediments

A flow-through experimental wetland system has been under investigation since 1996 to remove selenium (Se) fromagricultural drainage water in the Tulare Lake Drainage Districtat Corcoran, California, U.S.A. The system consists of ten cellswhich have dimensions of 15 × 76 m continuously flooded andvarious substrates planted. The objectives of this article are topresent the overall performance in Se removal after establishingthe wetland for three years, and to examine factors affecting Seremoval with special attention to accumulation in the sediments.In 1999, The wetland cells reduced Se from inflow water by 32 to65% in concentration and 43 to 89% in mass. Vegetationplays an important role in Se removal as non-vegetated cellshowed the least removal of Se. The inflow drainage water wasdominated by selenate (Se(VI), 91%) with smaller percentages ofselenite (Se(IV), 7%) and organic Se (org-Se(II-), 2%). Theoutflow water from the cells contained an average of 47% Se(VI),32% Se(IV) and 21% org-Se indicating reduction processesoccurring in the wetland cells. The surface sediment appears as alarge sink of Se removal. The highest Se concentration was foundin fallen litter, followed by the fine organic detrital layer onthe sediment surface. The sediment Se concentration dramaticallydecreased with increasing sediment depth. The mass distribution of Se, however, was sediment (0-20 cm) > fine detrital matter >fallen litter. Fractionation of surface sediment (0-5 cm) reveals that elemental Se was the largest fraction (ave. 47%) followedby organic matter-associated Se (34%). Soluble, adsorbed, and carbonate-associated Se accounted for 1.2, 3.1 and 2.5% ofthe total sediment Se, respectively. The major Se sink mechanism in the cells is the reduction of selenate to elemental Se andimmobilization into the organic phase of the sediments.     

Cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of herpesvirus and papillomavirus in a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

CASE HISTORY A 21-year-old male sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) was presented following the sudden appearance of blood associated with the passage of faeces and urates.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: There was fresh blood-staining of the feathers around the vent. The dorsal mucosal wall of the proctodeum was erythematous and roughened in appearance. An endoscopic biopsy was performed, and histological examination revealed multiple fronds of epithelium; the mucosa varied from simple to pseudostratified columnar epithelium, with diffuse hyperplasia of goblet cells. The underlying connective tissue stroma was well vascularised and was infiltrated with mixed inflammatory cells, comprising granulocytic cells and macrophages. PCR testing for both herpesvirus and papillomavirus, using consensus primers, was negative.

DIAGNOSIS: Cloacal papillomatosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case manifested typical clinical signs and histological lesions of cloacal papillomatosis in the absence of demonstrable herpesvirus or papillomavirus. Veterinarians need to consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of blood in the droppings of parrots and cockatoos even in countries where psittacine herpesviruses are exotic diseases.     

Multicenter case-control study of risk factors associated with development of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether particular vaccine brands, other injectable medications, customary vaccination practices, or various host factors were associated with the formation of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter case-control study. ANIMALS: Cats in the United States and Canada with soft tissue sarcomas or basal cell tumors. PROCEDURE: Veterinarians submitting biopsy specimens from cats with a confirmed diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma or basal cell tumor were contacted for patient medical history. Time window statistical analyses were used in conjunction with various assumptions about case definitions. RESULTS: No single vaccine brand or manufacturer within antigen class was found to be associated with sarcoma formation. Factors related to vaccine administration were also not associated with sarcoma development, with the possible exception of vaccine temperature prior to injection. Two injectable medications (long-acting penicillin and methyl prednisolone acetate) were administered to case cats more frequently than to control cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings do not support the hypotheses that specific brands or types of vaccine within antigen class, vaccine practices such as reuse of syringes, concomitant viral infection, history of trauma, or residence either increase or decrease the risk of vaccine-associated sarcoma formation in cats. There was evidence to suggest that certain long-acting injectable medications may also be associated with sarcoma formation.     

湿地植物通气组织和渗氧对其重金属吸收和耐性研究进展

湿地植物具有强大的通气组织和根部渗氧能力特征,使得其根际微环境处于氧化状态从而适应湿地土壤浸水的环境。近年来,湿地植物通气组织和渗氧在重金属吸收和耐性研究方面已引起了人们的关注,并对此进行了相关的研究。本文分别对湿地植物通气组织和渗氧特征,通气组织和渗氧对重金属吸收和耐性影响、对根际微环境影响等方面的研究进展和存在问题进行了综述,并提出了该领域未来可能的研究方向。认为针对从通气组织和渗氧角度出发研究湿地植物重金属耐性机理,应重点对湿地植物根际重金属的环境化学行为展开深入研究,在研究方法和手段上应注重新技术的开发与应用。