Development of an analytical scheme for simazine and 2,4-D in soil and water runoff from ornamental plant nursery plots

The transport and fate of pesticides applied to ornamental plant nursery crops are not well documented. Methodology for analysis of soil and water runoff samples concomitantly containing the herbicides simazine (1-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine) and 2,4-D ((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid) was developed in this research to investigate the potential for runoff and leaching from ornamental nursery plots. Solid-phase extraction was used prior to analysis by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. Chromatographic results were compared with determination by enzyme-linked immunoassay analysis. The significant analytical contributions of this research include (1) the development of a scheme using chromatographic mode sequencing for the fractionation of simazine and 2,4-D, (2) optimization of the homogeneous derivatization of 2,4-D using the methylating agent boron trifluoride in methanol as an alternative to in situ generation of diazomethane, and (3) the practical application of these techniques to field samples.     

Plant and animal species composition and heavy metal content in fly ash ecosystems

Plant and animal species present on a coal fly ash slurry pond site and a dry deposit site were surveyed and sampled during a two-day period in October. Elemental analyses were determined for most of the species encountered. A total of 48 plant species were observed on the two sites, with 35 species on the wet site, and 20 on the dry site. Eighteen terrestrial and 7 aquatic animal species were found on the wet site, exclusive of vertebrates which were not studied with the exception of a carp (Cyprinus carpio). Eleven terrestrial invertebrates and one aquatic species were observed on the dry site. Neutron activation analysis was carried out for: Se, Hg, Cr, Ni, Zn, Co, Sb, Cd, and As. Using literature values for phytotoxicity, we conclude that, in general, plants did not accumulate toxic levels of metals. Only one plant (Impatiens biflora Willd.) showed a significant level of Cd. Of 20 plants analyzed on the wet site, 10 had excessive Se concentrations (>5 ppm); on the dry site 6 out of 18 had high Se values. In animals (Gryllus sp.; Melanoplus sp.; Trachelipus sp.; Lumbricus terrestris; Physa integra; Cyprinus carpio) the trace metal concentration was generally in between that of control animals and that of the fly ash itself. One exception included Zn, which, although the most variable element examined, was concentrated in all the terrestrial animals to levels higher than in fly ash. Crickets are the most consistent bioconcentrators with Cr, Se, and Zn at higher levels than for control animals. All animal species studied accumulated Se compared to controls.     

Caecal impaction in a dog

A seven-year-old, intact male dobermann with a four-week history of anorexia was diagnosed as having impaction of the caecum with inspissated faeces. Radiographic and histopathological findings revealed impaction of the caecum and a mild subacute locally extensive typhlitis. Typhlectomy was curative and no further problems have been reported.     

Antibody titres to lamb rotavirus in colostrum and milk of vaccinated ewes.

Ewes were vaccinated two to three weeks prior to mating with a formalin-treated preparation of lamb rotavirus. The colostrum and milk produced by vaccinated ewes after the subsequent pregnancy were shown to contain significantly higher titres of antibody to the virus than did mammary secretions from non-vaccinates. The virus neutralising antibody activity was associated with IgG in both colostrum and milk. However, IgG concentrations in the mammary secretions of vaccinates and non-vaccinates did not differ. It is suggested that vaccination of the dam may be of value in protecting the suckled neonatal lamb against rotavirus infection.     

Back muscle necrosis of pigs.

The clinical signs and pathological features of back muscle necrosis (BMN) in four pigs from three English pig herds were similar to those recorded in pigs from mainland Europe. The observations made support the view that BMN is a special manifestation of the porcine stress syndrome. Diagnosis of acute BMN can be made clinically supported by the analysis of plasma creatine phosphokinase activity and can be confirmed post mortem by macroscopic and microscopic observation on the back muscles.     

Liver haemorrhages induced by rapeseed meal: incidence in adult male and female fowls

Adult cockerels of a commercial egg-producing strain did not develop liver haemorrhages when maintained for 12 weeks on a diet containing 400 g rapeseed meal/kg food. Haemorrhages occurred in 43% of laying hens of the same strain as the cockerels and 33% of laying hens of another strain maintained on the same diet for the same period. Oestrogenisation of the male birds did not influence the incidence of haemorrhage.