Monitoring and surveillance of radio-cesium in cultivated soils and foodstuff samples in Israel 18 years after the Chernobyl disaster

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lavi ◽  
G. Golob ◽  
Z.B. Alfassi
Keyword(s):  
Chernobyl Disaster ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance ◽  
Cultivated Soils

Serological screening for Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies in southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from Elephant Island, Antarctica, in 2003 and 2004

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
AM Sánchez-Sarmiento ◽  
V Ruoppolo ◽  
MMC Muelbert ◽  
JS Ferreira Neto ◽  
JL Catão-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Austral Summer ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Mirounga Leonina ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Elephant Seals ◽  
Southern Elephant Seals ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance ◽  
Elephant Island

Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp. antibodies were surveyed in 35 southern elephant seals (SESs) Mirounga leonina at Elephant Island (South Shetland Islands), western Antarctic peninsula, in the Austral summer of 2003 and 2004. The rose Bengal test and a commercial competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) were used to detect Brucella spp. exposure, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with 22 live serovars was used to determine anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. We found evidence of Brucella spp. exposure in 3 of 35 (8.6%) SESs tested via the c-ELISA displaying high percentage inhibition (PI), similar to other studies in pinnipeds in which Brucella spp. antibodies have been determined. Two of the 3 positives were pups (PI = 70.4 and 86.6%), while the third was an adult female (PI = 48.8%). The 3 c-ELISA positive SESs were additionally tested via the serum agglutination test but were found to be negative. All individuals were negative for antibodies against 22 Leptospira spp. serovars by MAT. These results contribute to the knowledge and monitoring of zoonotic pathogens with epizootic potential in Southern Ocean pinnipeds. Given the potential impact that pathogens may have on the abundance of wild (sometimes threatened and endangered) populations, constant monitoring and surveillance are required to prevent pathogen spread, particularly under forecast climate change scenarios.

scholarly journals Assessment of heavy metal pollution in soil and bottom sediment of Upper Egypt: comparison study

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmat Ahmed Abou El-Anwar
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Toxic Waste ◽  
Anthropogenic Source ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Upper Egypt ◽  
Pulp Paper ◽  
Heavy Metals Pollution ◽  
Cultivated Soils

Abstract Background Aswan and Luxor Governorates are characterized by multifaceted activities such as cement, chemicals, fertilizers, detergents, nitrogen fertilizer factory at Aswan, the sugar and diary factory at Kom Ombo, and several other factories such as the sugar, pulp, paper, ferrosilicon, and phosphate factories at Edfu, urbanization and agriculture. In addition, there is a main sewage station which is used for irrigation of many crops. Assessing the pollution of soil and sediment with some heavy metals in these areas is the main aim of the current work. Results The average heavy metals content in the studied cultivated soils and Nile sediments are above the acceptable levels. Generally, Nile sediments and cultivated soils at Aswan and Luxor were unpolluted to moderately polluted with heavy metals. Pollution indices indicated that the studied Nile sediments were at considerably ecological risk from Cd (Er = 138.89) and Zn (Er = 140.52). In contrast, the cultivated soil was at very high ecological risk from Cd (Er = 295.24). Conclusions The current research revealed that the soil and sediments in the Upper Egypt are less polluted than Lower Egypt. Thus, the concentrations of toxic elements are increased from south to north direction in Egypt along the Nile River. The sources of the toxic metals may possibly be natural or anthropogenic in the studied area. The anthropogenic source is resulting from paper, pulp, ferrosilicon factories, and phosphate mining at Edfu. In addition, there are some polluting industries such as sand quarry, shale mining, and the nitrogen fertilizer factory at Aswan. On the other hand, the natural sources of toxic waste are the drains during the seasonal flash floods.

scholarly journals Food Allergen Detection Methods: A Coordinated Approach

2004 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip R Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
Hazard Analysis ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Control Point ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Critical Control Point ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Abstract The levels (1–2%) and increasing severity of allergic responses to food in the adult population are well documented, as is the phenomenon of even higher (3–8%) and apparently increasing incidence in children, albeit that susceptibility decreases with age. Problematic foods include peanut, milk, eggs, tree nuts, and sesame, but the list is growing as awareness continues to rise. The amounts of such foods that can cause allergic reactions is difficult to gauge; however, the general consensus is that ingestion of low parts per million is sufficient to cause severe reactions in badly affected individuals. Symptoms can rapidly—within minutes—progress from minor discomfort to severe, even life-threatening anaphylactic shock in those worst affected. Given the combination of high incidence of atopy, potential severity of response, and apparently widespread instances of “hidden” allergens in the food supply, it is not surprising that this issue is increasingly subject to legislative and regulatory scrutiny. In order to assist in the control of allergen levels in foods to acceptable levels, analysts require a combination of test methods, each designed to produce accurate, timely, and cost-effective analytical information. Such information contributes significantly to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs to determine food manufacturers’ risk and improves the accuracy of monitoring and surveillance by food industry, commercial, and enforcement laboratories. Analysis thereby facilitates improvements in compliance with labeling laws with concomitant reductions in risks to atopic consumers. This article describes a combination of analytical approaches to fulfill the various needs of these 3 analytical communities.

scholarly journals Moisture-dependent Water Repellency of Greenlandic Cultivated Soils

Geoderma ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 402 ◽  
pp. 115189
Author(s):  
Peter L. Weber ◽  
Cecilie Hermansen ◽  
Trine Norgaard ◽  
Charles Pesch ◽  
Per Moldrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Repellency ◽  
Cultivated Soils

Hawaii Experimental Acoustics Range for Shallow Water Applications

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Fedenczuk ◽  
Eva-Marie Nosal
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Shallow Water Acoustics ◽  
Central Node ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Shallow Water Environment ◽  
Near Shore ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance ◽  
Passive Acoustic

AbstractShallow water acoustics provide a means for monitoring and surveillance of near-shore environments. This paper describes the current and future capabilities of the low- to high-frequency Hawaii Experimental Acoustics Range (HEAR) that was designed to facilitate a wide range of different shallow water acoustics experiments and allow researchers from various institutions to test various array components and configurations. HEAR is a portable facility that consists of multiple hydrophones (12‐16) cabled independently to a common central node. The design allows for variable array configurations and deployments in three modes: experimental (off boats and piers), autonomous, and cabled. An application of HEAR is illustrated by the results from a deployment at Makai Research Pier, Oahu, Hawaii. In this deployment, HEAR was configured as a long-baseline range of two volumetric subarrays to study passive acoustic tracking capabilities in a shallow water environment.

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