Dynamics of water soluble phosphorus from surface applied broiler litter

Deionized water is routinely used as an extractant to determine soluble phosphorus (P) in broiler litter, but under N.E. Georgia conditions this technique may underestimate the hazard of P loss in runoff because the alkalinity of the broiler litter-water suspension limits the solubility of P compounds that may be solubilized after being spread on acidic field conditions. In this study under controlled conditions we measured soluble P in thatch and top soil after applying untreated broiler litter, residue of broiler litter after water extraction (WER), or residue of broiler litter after extraction with a 2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer at pH 6 (BER). During the 60 d incubation, the WER released 18 % more Total Dissolved P (TDP) than was determined through a conventional water extraction procedure, whereas the BER released 28 % less TDP than the WER, which reflects the greater amount of TDP removed from the broiler litter by the buffer at pH 6.0. However, the total amount of TDP extracted by the MES buffer, which includes that removed at the initial extraction plus that released during the incubation, was 30 % greater than the total amount of TDP extracted with water from the untreated litter plus the TDP extracted with water from the WER during the incubation. This result suggests the need to fine-tune the solid: liquid ratio and shaking time when the MES buffer is used.     

Porewater as a matrix in toxicity bioassays with sea urchins and bivalves: evaluation of applicability to the Venice lagoon (Italy)

Porewater plays an important role in sediment toxicity assessment using bioassays, but the most reliable extracting method and the potential contribution of confounding factors to the real toxicity need to be studied. The applicability of bioassays with the early life stages of Paracentrotus lividus, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Crassostrea gigas on porewaters extracted by centrifugation from the Venice Lagoon (Italy) is evaluated and demonstrated: toxicity tests can discriminate the toxicity of porewaters from sites with different kinds and levels of pollution and, using toxicity scores, data are classified in five toxicity classes. Sulphides do not represent a confounding factor in porewater toxicity; in contrast ammonia exhibited some concentrations above the toxicity threshold for sea urchin embryos.     

Rubella and pregnancy: diagnosis,management and outcomes

Rubella is a mild viral disease that typically occurs in childhood. Rubella infection during pregnancy causes congenital rubella syndrome, including the classic triad of cataracts, cardiac abnormalities and sensorineural deafness. Highly effective vaccines have been developed since 1969, and vaccination campaigns have been established in many countries. Although there has been progress, the prevention and diagnosis of rubella remain problematic. This article reviews the implications and management of rubella during pregnancy. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spiking organic chemicals onto sediments for ecotoxicological analyses: an overview of methods and procedures

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Laboratory testing with spiked sediments with organic contaminants is a valuable tool for ecotoxicologists to study specific processes such as effects...