bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Variability of the Water Quality of Saline Lakes from the Soan-Sakesar Valley, Salt Range, Pakistan
Authors: Afzal Shahzad , Younas Mohammad , Ali Karamat
Published: March 2019

Saline lakes from the Soan-Sakesar valley are a breeding and feeding habitat for many shorebirds and waterfowl. In 1994, water samples were collected from lakes Uchhali, Khabbaki and Jahlar and analyzed for a variety of parameters such as Secchi disk transparency, chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, total dissolved substances, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfate. Chemical changes observed in 1994 were compared to those of 1986. The three lakes studied can be characterized as hypereutrophic. Their chemistry is controlled mainly by an evaporation-crystallization process and dissolved salts supplied by underlying sedimentary submerged springs. Uchhali Lake is saline, while Khabbaki and Jahlar lakes are brackish. The chemistry of the lakes is discussed in relation to their acidification from coal mines.
Environmental Situation in the Lower Dnipro River Basin
Authors: Vasenko O.G.
Published: March 2019

The paper summarizes Ukrainian findings and conclusions of the first Ukrainian-Canadian field study on the state of the environment in the Lower Dnipro River Basin. Three major issues were identified during the field study: accelerated eutrophication from municipal and agro-industrial discharges, industrial pollution, and radionucleide contamination of reservoir sediments. The Dnipropetrovsk-Zaporizhzhia-Kryviy Rih triangle has been recognized as an area which has been greatly affected by pollutants originating from many activities, including heavy industry, oil refining, metallurgy, petrochemistry, mining and power generation. The results of biological assays demonstrated that the Lower Dnipro River is endangered by toxic pollution originating from poorly treated or untreated effluent discharges. Of 58 industrial wastewater samples, taken at 31 outlets of the Dnripo and its tributaries, 69% contained various levels of toxic substances. Various degrees of toxicity were detected in 97% of 53 of the wastewater samples, taken at 37 sites. As a result, the majority of the tributaries sampled were of poor water quality and exceeded the statutory pollution standards. The diversity of phyto- and zooplankton was found to be severely reduced as was the native fish population in the Dnipro reservoirs. The maximum Cs-137 concentrations in bottom sediments of the Dnipro reservoirs varied from 31 to 520 Bq/kg, with the highest levels occurring in the reservoir closest to Chernobyl. The Ukranian government has identified the Lower Dnipro Basin as a top priority area for a strategic remedial action plan.
Chemical Contaminants in Fish and Sediment Core Samples from the Dnipro River, Ukraine, 1994
Authors: Lockhart W. L. , Muir C. G. , Wilkinson P. , Yarechewski A. , Billeck B.N.
Published: March 2019

Some aspects of the quality of fish and sediment samples with respect to contamination with organochlorine compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and several metals are addressed. Fish were obtained from three reservoirs: Kyiv, Kremenchuk and Kakhovka. Sediment cores were obtained from Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Kakhovka. Levels of contaminants in fish showed differences among species within a reservoir and among reservoirs within a species. The major organochlorine compounds found in the fish were DDT and PCBs with levels in the low ng/g range. Fish PCB levels generally tended to be higher in the Upper Kakhovka reservoir than in the other reservoirs and the congener profile suggested a local source of PCBs to that reservoir. Bream from the Kyiv reservoir had higher levels of mercury than bream from the other reservoirs even though they were of relatively small size. Lead-210 profiles in sediment cores suggested that all three cores sampled only recent time; two of the cores extended deeply enough to capture the large increase in cesium-137 from Chernobyl in 1986, and the third consisted only of material deposited after that event. Inputs of cesium-137 were high and there was no indication of decreases since 1986. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments were also high, especially in the Zaporizhzhia reservoir where concentrations consistently exceeded Canadian sediment quality guidelines by sever-alfold. Concentrations were lower in the Kakhovka reservoir but still in excess of guidelines, and they were lower yet at the most upstream core from Kremenchuk reservoir. A similar pattern was evident with several metals in sediments. Concentrations in the core from Zaporizhzhia exceeded those from Kakhovka which in turn exceeded those from Kremenchuk. Concentrations in both Zaporizhzhia and Kakhovka generally exceeded Canadian sediment quality guidelines. The general picture that emerges is one of a system of widespread chemical contamination not only with Chernobyl byproducts but also with hydrocarbons, metals and organochlorines, with significant sources downstream from the Kremenchuk site.
Analysis of the British Columbia Water Quality Index for Watershed Managers: a Case Study of Two Small Watersheds
Authors: Zandbergen Paul A. , Hall Ken J.
Published: March 2019

The use of indices in ecosystem management is attractive because it allows for the representation of a complex set of information on ecosystem variables in a simple fashion. Recently the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks developed the British Columbia Water Quality Index (BCWQI). As this index is currently being considered as the basis for other provincial indices and a national water quality index, the character of the BCWQI needs to be carefully considered. This study evaluates the performance of the BCWQI and assesses how useful and appropriate it is as a management tool at the watershed level. For this purpose the index is used to express the results of two sampling programs, one by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the other by the Westwater Research Centre, of two relatively small watersheds in the Greater Vancouver area: the Brunette River watershed, heavily impacted by urbanization, and the Salmon River watershed on the urban-rural fringe. For both watersheds the intended use is the protection of aquatic life and only those water quality objectives are considered. The results indicate that the BCWQI is extremely sensitive to sampling design and highly dependent on the specific application of water quality objectives. A comparison is made with another type of index in widespread use in North America: the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI). This index appears promising for stream stewardship groups because of its simplicity and ease of use. For watershed managers, an alternative to the BCWQI is suggested, based on exceedance factors for individual objectives. This Simple Water Quality Index (SWQI) recognizes the importance of objectives that are specific to a particular water body, but overcomes some of the limitations of the BCWQI. A presentation format is suggested for objective exceedance factors, with a clear indication of exactly which objectives were included — without this, the final numerical index value is meaningless. This study suggests that the BCWQI in its current form has serious limitations for comparing water bodies and for establishing management priorities. If local watershed managers use the BCWQI in guiding efforts to protect aquatic resources, they should consider these limitations carefully.
Trace Metal Levels in Benthic Biota from Four Tributaries to the St. Lawrence River, Quebec
Authors: Renaud Claude B. , Wong Henry K.T. , Metcalfe-Smith Janice L.
Published: March 2019

Lamprey ammocoetes (Agnatha: Petromyzontidae) and freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae), two groups of organisms that are closely associated with sediments, were collected from the Châteauguay, Bécancour, Sainte-Anne and Saint-Maurice rivers in July 1992 and analyzed for residues of 13 metals in their tissues. The hypothesis that lamprey larvae and mussels would bioaccumulate comparable levels of metals due to similarities in their ecology was rejected. Lampreys (Ichthyomyzon fossor and Lampetra appendix) from the Châteauguay River (the only site where both lampreys and mussels were collected) accumulated significantly lower concentrations of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, V and Zn than mussels (Elliptio complanata), suggesting that lampreys may be capable of regulating these metals. Conversely, lampreys accumulated much higher concentrations of Hg than mussels (1748 to 6793 versus 579 to 982 ng/g dry weight, respectively), indicating that they may be suitable biomonitors for Hg. Organisms that are capable of regulating metals are not normally recommended for biomonitoring purposes. Nevertheless, significant differences among rivers were observed for many metals based on the lamprey data. As metals in the gut contents of three specimens of Sea lamprey (Petromyzon mar-inus) from the Saint-Maurice River accounted for a substantial portion of the whole body burden of metals, a gut content correction factor is recommended for these organisms. Further studies are required to properly evaluate lamprey ammocoetes as biomonitors for trace metals in freshwater systems.
Effect of Leachate Recirculation on Municipal Solid Waste Biodegradation
Authors: Warith Mostafa A. , Zekry Walied , Gawri Neeraj
Published: March 2019

Biological processes are known to reduce the organic fraction of municipal solid waste, but current landfilling practices have not been altered to reflect this knowledge. The advantages of enhancing degradation of solid waste include reduced period of leachate treatment, increased methane production, expedited landfill site reclamation through stabilized waste mining, and accelerated subsidence permitting recovery of valuable landfill air space. The techniques that can be used to enhance biological degradation include leachate recirculation, addition of nutrients, shredding, sludge and buffer solutions addition, lift design, temperature, and moisture content management. Manipulation of these variables promotes a more conducive environment for microbial activity. This paper presents the results of a leachate recirculation experiment into three pilots scale solid waste cells. A computer-operated pumping system controlled the rate of recirculated leachate into the solid waste cells. The leachate was recirculated over a period of 65 weeks, and effluent samples were obtained on a weekly basis and analyzed for pH, BOD, COD, TOC and heavy metal concentrations. The experimental results indicated that addition of supplemental materials to the leachate during recirculation has a positive effect on the rate of biological degradation of solid waste. The addition of primary sludge and supplemental nutrients resulted on a rapid increase in BOD and COD concentrations in the effluent samples. This rapid increase in BOD and COD concentrations suggests that following a lag phase prior to the methano-jenesis phase, a rapid decrease in the organic load in the leachate will be ichieved within a reasonable time frame. In addition, the results of this investigation indicates that the primary sludge is an excellent source of microbial inoculum. The addition of supplemental nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) with buffer also increases the concentration of the BOD and COD in the effluent samples, proving that a balance of pH and an increase in the available nutrients increases biological activities in the solid waste cells compared to the control cell.
Overview of Impacts of Recent Land and Channel Changes in Eastern Ontario
Authors: Watelet A. , Johnson P. G.
Published: March 2019

Recent land and channel changes on the Raisin River watershed in eastern Ontario altered the hydrological processes of the water cycle in a context of climate fluctuations. In particular, the development of agriculture faced two major obstacles in the area: a high water table and too long flood duration. Land transformations were intended to solve those problems and were relatively successful, though in accelerating the flow of land water toward the stream, the water balance was modified, which in turn changed the water quality dynamics. Surface hydrology and water quality of the Raisin River as they appear today are in part the result of past land transformations. Stream water quality restoration should therefore not be addressed alone but be integrated with restoration of hydrological processes at the scale of the watershed, a new necessity in the context of climate warming.
Developing Biological Endpoints for Defining Virtual Elimination: a Case Study for PCDDs and PCDFs
Authors: Servos M.R. , Parrott J.L. , Sherry J.P. , Brown S.B.
Published: March 2019

Defining virtual elimination has created considerable debate. A traditional approach has been to use chemically defined detection limits or levels of quantification that are determined using the best currently available methodologies. Ever increasing improvements in analytical techniques could lead to corresponding pressure to reduce the targets for virtual elimination. The current Toxic Substances Management Policy in Canada recognizes this and clearly states that it is not the intent of virtual elimination to have a moving target or to chase down the last molecule of the chemical of concern. Although it may be possible to reduce a chemical to less than some extremely sensitive detection limit, the chemical may or may not exert biological effects at that level. The chemically defined detection limits may be much lower than background levels in the environment, making it an unrealistic target. Conversely biological responses may result from trace levels of a compound that are not detectable in effluents or selected compartments of the environment (i.e., water) using current chemical techniques. Alternatively, an effect-based approach can establish biologically meaningful endpoints to defining virtual elimination. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are used in this study as an example to evaluate the advantages and limitations of several possible approaches of using biological endpoints to determine the presence of these compounds in the environment and ultimately define virtual elimination. A review of the biological responses to PCDD/PCDFs is included to demonstrate the importance of selecting appropriate biological endpoints. Mixed function oxygenase (MFO) induction, although not recommended at this point, is used as an example of a possible sensitive endpoint that could potentially be used to detect exposure of biota to these chemicals. Three different approaches are explored: (1) measuring MFO induction in a sentinel species in the environment; (2) testing environmental extracts for MFO induction in cell lines; and (3) using biological endpoints (MFO induction) to define chemical targets for virtual elimination. While the use of biological end-points is the most desirable approach to defining virtual elimination, there are significant knowledge gaps which limit our selection and application of this approach.
Selenium Speciation of Surface Sediments from Saline Lakes of the Soan-Sakesar Valley Salt-Range, Pakistan
Authors: Afzal Shahzad , Younas Mohammad , Hussain Khadim
Published: March 2019

The chemical species of selenium from the surface sediments from three eutroph-ic lakes of the Soan-Sakesar Valley were examined. The major objectives of the study were to examine the oxidation states of selenium in the lake sediments. The following selenium concentrations were observed from lakes Uchhali, Khabbaki and Jahlar, respectively: total selenium: 4.03, 1.55 and 1.4 mg/kg; Se+VI: 0.86, 0.39 and 0.31 mg/kg; Se+IV: 0.95, 0.27 and 0.25 mg/kg; Se-II:1.15, 0.45 and 0.33; and Se0: 1.17, 0.48 and 0.53 mg/kg. Lake sediments have higher nitrogen (0.04—0.35% of dry weight) and phosphorus (0.04—0.29% of dry weight) levels due to agriculture drainage water and sewage waste from small villages. X-ray diffraction analysis has shown that albite, calcite, chlorite, illite and quartz minerals were present in the sediments of lakes Uchhali, Khabbaki and Jahlar. Kaolinite was present only in lakes Uchhali and Khabbaki and goethite only in Lake Uchhali. Linear relationships were observed between selenium fractions, and minerals present in these lakes point out the phenomena of adsorption on the surface of these minerals. The organic C contents of 2.2, 2.8 and 3.1% dry weight in lakes Uchhali, Khabbaki and Jahlar, respectively, show linear relationships with Se-II, Se0 and total selenium. It suggests that Se in the sediments is highly associated with the sediment organic fraction. The results indicate that nutrient loads and organic C are responsible for the high microbial activity, which reduces sele-nates to more insoluble Se species in the lake sediments.
Dissolved Organic Carbon Removal from a Prairie Water Supply Using Ozonation and Biological Activated Carbon
Authors: Sketchell Joanne , Peterson Hans G. , Christofi Nick
Published: March 2019

Large quantities of dissolved organic carbon in prairie surface water reservoirs make sustainable treatment quite challenging. Organic material is a precursor for the formation of disinfection by-products. Here, ozonation and biological activated carbon filtration were used as methods for removing dissolved organic carbon from the water of a small prairie reservoir used as a drinking water source. Biofiltration alone yielded significant reductions in dissolved organic carbon, colour, total trihalomethanes and chlorine demand. When ozonation preceded biofiltration, the increased proportion of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon allowed for significantly greater (p<0.05
Removal of a Dye from an Aqueous Solution by the Fungus Aspergillus niger
Authors: Fu Yuzhu , Viraraghavan T.
Published: March 2019

Biosorption is becoming a promising alternative to replace or supplement the present dye removal processes from dye wastewater. In this study, removal of a dye, Basic Blue 9, from an aqueous solution by biosorption on the dead fungal biomass Aspergillus niger was studied. The effective pretreatment method for increasing the biosorption capacity of A. niger was investigated. Autoclaving was found to effectively enhance the biosorption capacity of A. niger to 18.54 mg/g compared with 1.17 mg/g of living cells for Basic Blue 9. Batch pH, kinetic and isotherm studies were conducted to evaluate the biosorption capacity of the pretreated (dead) biomass. The initial pH of the dye solution strongly affected the biosorption capacity and rate. The effective initial pH was between 4 and 6. The equilibrium time varied with the initial pH of the dye solution and was set at 30 h because no significant dye removals occurred after that time of contact. The Lagergren and Ho et al. models can be used to describe the kinetics of Basic Blue 9 biosorption on A. niger successfully for different initial pH values, except for pH 4. At initial pH 4, biosorption of Basic Blue 9 fitted the Langmuir equation well; at initial pH 10, the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models both fitted biosorption well. The results of this study indicated that fungal biomass of A. niger can be used for removing Basic Blue 9 from an aqueous solution.
Analyse régionale des étiages 7-jours de la province de Québec
Authors: Anctil François , Larouche William , Hoang Van Diem
Published: March 2019

Une analyse régionale des étiages 7-jours mène à un outil d'estimation fort utile à l’établissement de la qualité de l’eau suite à un rejet d’eaux usées, à la détermination d’un débit environnemental associé à un ouvrage de retenue ou encore à l’établissement d’un débit tiré garanti pour des fins industrielles, agricoles ou de consommation. À partir du débit observé de 119 stations de jaugeage sises au Québec, six régions homogènes ont été délimitées à l’aide d’un test de discordance et d’hétérogénéité. Diverses distributions régionales normalisées ont ensuite été ajustées à l’aide de la méthode des moments L. Les paramètres d’ajustement de ces distributions ont été estimés tant pour des étiages hivernaux qu’estivaux.
Effect of Drawdown on Ammonium and Iron Concentrations in a Coastal Mountain Reservoir
Authors: Perrin C.J. , Ashley K.I. , Larkin G.A.
Published: March 2019

Part way through a year-long water quality field survey, the Capilano Reservoir, located in the Greater Vancouver Water District, was drawn down to accommodate earthquake reinforcement work on the Cleveland Dam. This paper reports observations of the effect of drawdown on water quality in the reservoir, in the context of the original study. The drawdown exposed a large zone of deltaic material through which the Capilano River eroded a path up to 2.5 m deep. The deltaic material contained substantial amounts of nitrogen and iron (TKN, 4,470 mg kg-1; total iron, 21,800 mg kg-1). During drawdown, turbidity in the reservoir increased up to 25 times as compared to prior conditions. Ammonium (NH4+-N) and dissolved and particulate iron concentrations in the drawdown zone were up to two orders of magnitude higher than concentrations upstream. Both NH4+-N and dissolved iron were observed to travel the length of the reservoir. Persistence of NH4+-N in the highly oxygenated conditions may be explained by the presence of factors that inhibit nitrification. Persistence of NH4+-N and particularly dissolved iron may be due to adsorption and com-plexation reactions. Seasonally high concentrations of iron and ammonium at the water intake corresponded to the timing of complaints of taste, odour, turbid water, and staining in the distribution system. Observations made during this extreme drawdown suggest that transport of N and Fe from exposed deltaic sediments may play a role in the periodic increases in ammonium and iron observed in the Capilano Reservoir. Further understanding of the impacts associated with changing reservoir elevation should lead to the development of appropriate management strategies to maintain the high quality of GVWD water.
Urban Oil Spills as a Non-Point Pollution Source in the Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario
Authors: Li James , McAteer Peter
Published: March 2019

Being the economic engine of Canada and the home of 5 million people, the environmental health of the Golden Horseshoe is very important. Among various pollution sources into the lake, urban oil spills as a non-point pollution source have not caught the attention of most residents. These spills can cause terrestrial impacts by poisoning animals and plants, groundwater contamination by infiltration, and surface water pollution by algal bloom and fish kills and destruction of freshwater invertebrates and vertebrates. In order to investigate the significance of this pollution source, 10 years of spill records in the Golden Horseshoe have been compiled. On the average, about 1050 L per day of oil escaped to the land, water and air environment in this region. About one-third of these spills eventually entered Lake Ontario. Among various types of spilled oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel and furnace oil accounted for the highest reported volume. The former Metropolitan Toronto led the frequency and volume of spills, while Hamilton-Wentworth followed closely. Spills frequently occur on roads, at service stations and at electrical transformers, while the highest spill event volumes occur at bulk plants/terminals/depots and at refineries. The predominant causes of spills are related to leaks from containers, pipes and hoses, and cooling systems. However, the principal reasons for oil spills are human error and equipment failure. The transportation, public and petroleum sectors are responsible for 60% of the reported spill cases, while the petroleum sector alone accounts for nearly 50% of the reported spill volume. Given the significant volume of spilled oil, it is important that all levels of government and private industries increase their effort to promote pollution prevention such as preventive maintenance, improved employee training and/or retraining, and proper vigilant supervision. Additionally, control devices such as oil-water interceptors should be sized properly and implemented at strategic location across the Golden Horseshoe.
Characterizing Stormwater Sediments for Ecotoxic Risk
Authors: vanLoon G. , Anderson B.C. , Watt W.E. , Marsalek J.
Published: March 2019

The characteristics of accumulated sediments were investigated, with a focus on selected trace metals, in three Stormwater management facilities and one natural site, all located in the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, in Ontario, Canada. This study was conducted in response to concerns expressed by Environment Canada about possible ecosystem impacts by contaminants accumulated in these commonly utilized, passive treatment systems. Also of interest were the effects of facility configuration and operation and maintenance on particulate deposition patterns and resulting exposure risk. This was the first phase of a multidisciplinary study to quantify the risk of ecosystem effects in these systems, and results indicate that there were some significant potential risks present. In addition, results indicate that a simple comparison with provincial sediment quality guidelines may not be sufficient to alert facility owners and operators to these potential risks.
Urban Stormwater Management Strategy for the Severn Sound Remedial Action Plan
Authors: Mattson A. , Li J. , Sherman K.
Published: March 2019

Urban Stormwater has been identified as a significant source of phosphorus to Severn Sound and a potential source of bacterial contamination which can affect recreational bathing areas within the Sound. In order to develop an effective remedial action plan, a cooperative study of urban Stormwater impacts was initiated in the Severn Sound Area of Concern (AOC) through a joint partnership that included Environment Canada (Great Lakes 2000 Cleanup Fund), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Simcoe County District Health Unit, and various municipalities in the Sound. The study objectives were (1) characterization of dry weather and runoff quantity and quality; (2) monitoring effects of Stormwater runoff on the bacterial concentrations at an urban bathing area; and (3) development of pollution control plans for the participating urban municipalities in the Severn Sound watershed with an overall goal of a 20% reduction of Stormwater phosphorus loads. In general, the event mean concentrations of most runoff pollutants lie either within the range or below ranges reported by previous storm-water studies in Canada and the U.S., while some runoff pollutant concentrations (e.g., E. coli, heavy metals and nutrients) exceed the Ontario provincial water quality objectives. The bathing area sampling program recorded E. coli concentrations exceeding 600 organisms/100 mL at an outfall right after storm events started. Based on the limited sampling, it appears that rain events of approximately 20 mm or more may result in impingement of water with elevated E. coli counts on this bathing area within 6 hours of the onset of a rain event In order to update pollution loading estimates and develop pollution control plans, a retrofit Stormwater management model was applied. The planning model estimates an annual phosphorus loading of 1083 kg/year and a 20% reduction of phosporus loading, using source controls such as downspout disconnections and oil/water interceptors, drainage system controls such as grassed ditches and exfiltration systems, and downstream control such as water quality ponds. Pollution control plans were developed for each participating municipality based on the retrofit opportunities identified through the modelling exercise. The estimated cost is about $4 million. These plans provide specific recommendations regarding the implementation of various Stormwater retrofit measures and their financial requirements. A water quality pond identified by the pollution control plan for the Town of Penetanguishene has since been implemented.
Stormwater Management Ponds and Wetlands Sediment Maintenance
Authors: Graham Edward I. , Lei Jian H.
Published: March 2019

Effective long-term operation of Stormwater management ponds/wetlands requires maintenance. This study has evaluated many aspects related to such maintenance needs with respect to removal, methods of removal and disposal of removed sediments. This paper summarizes the study results that should be useful to owners/operators responsible for the maintenance of Stormwater management ponds/wetlands.
Local impacts of coal mines and power plants across Canada. I. Thallium in waters and sediments
Authors: Cheam V. , Garbai G. , Lechner J. , Rajkumar J.
Published: March 2019

A Canada-wide survey was undertaken of sites associated with coal mines and coal-fired electrical generating stations. Several water samples were found to contain very high concentrations of thallium, iron and manganese. High thallium concentrations were found in several sites in Eastern Canada, in spite of the greater coal consumption and production in the western and central regions. The data suggest that coal type (rather than quantity) and/or regional geological contributions are responsible for the high Tl concentrations observed. Our findings, coupled with others around the world, strongly indicate that Tl is an environmental pollutant. In sediments, the observed high ratios of Tl/Hg suggest there is an enrichment of Tl by at least 25% when compared to crustal concentration ratios.
Local Impacts of Coal Mines and Power Plants across Canada. II. Metals, Organics and Toxicity in Sediments
Authors: Cheam V. , Reynoldson T. , Garbai G. , Rajkumar J. , Milani D.
Published: March 2019

A Canada-wide survey was undertaken to study local impacts of coal mines and coal-fired electrical generating stations. The first part dealt with thallium in waters and sediments. This, Fart II, deals with metals and organics in sediments as well as sediment toxicity to four different organisms. Several elevated metal and PAH concentrations as well as high toxicity (based on biological sediment guidelines) were observed compared to uncontaminated sites. Based on Ontario's sediment guidelines, most of the studied sediments fell in the "marginally to significantly polluted" category of sediment quality, although two belonged to the "grossly polluted" class due to the extremely high concentrations of some metals. The observed diversity of PAHs and near-unity carbon preference indices indicate non-biological origins of the studied sediments. In this initial study, four different organisms, Chironomus riparius, Hyalella azteca, Hexagenia spp. (Hexagenia limbata) and Tubifex tubifex were used to determine sediment toxicity, which showed 50% of the tested sites were highly stressed.
Timing of Nitrate Leaching from Turfgrass after Multiple Fertilizer Applications
Authors: Roy J.W. , Parkin G.W. , Wagner-Riddle C.
Published: March 2019

The leaching of nitrogen from surface-applied fertilizer to groundwater is an environmental concern. Nitrogen fertilizer is routinely applied to turfgrass from spring to late autumn in Canada. The main objective of this study was to determine the contribution of N applied in May, July and September to leaching. The leaching of applied chloride (May and September only) was also monitored and the transport of nitrate and chloride were simulated using the model LEACHM (within EXPRES) to assist in fulfilling the main objective. The accuracy of the model simulation for transport, not nitrogen losses, was also addressed. Field lysimeters (Guelph, Ontario) were packed with a three-horizon profile of a sandy loam soil, topped with Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) sod and monitored for 1 year. Based on soil water samples taken from suction samplers placed at depths of 10, 17, 29, 43, 54, 64 and 85 cm, part of the solute from spring/summer applications remained in the soil during the unusually dry summer. This residual solute was later transported downward with the ensuing infiltration front in late autumn, building upon the autumn application, resulting in excessive concentrations. Predictions by LEACHM of solute concentration profiles generally were similar to field measurements.
Humic substances: a valuable agronomic tool for improving crop adaptation to saline water irrigation
Authors: De Hita D. , Fuentes M. , García A. C. , Olaetxea M. , Baigorri R. , Zamarreño A. M. , Berbara R. , Garcia-Mina J. M.
Published: March 2019

Availability of fresh water for crop irrigation is becoming scarce and rather expensive. In this context, the research about the potential reutilization of non-conventional water sources becomes highly relevant, principally in arid and semi-arid areas. On many occasions, these new water resources involve water with a moderate concentration of salt, making it necessary to improve plant growth under moderate saline conditions. Besides plant breeding techniques, the use of molecules able to improve plant adaptation to saline conditions has great interest. Between these molecules, humic substances (HS) have proven to be efficient as stress-protectors under specific conditions of stress intensity and moment of application. The HS are main components of the soil organic matter and dissolved organic matter resulting from the biotic and abiotic transformation of fresh organic matter in natural ecosystems. Although knowledge about their structure is still under open debate, HS contain aromatic and aliphatic domains presenting O-, N- and S- containing functional groups with high biological and chemical activities. The aim of this presentation is to summarize the main effects of humic acids (HA) applied either on the root or on the shoot, on the metabolism and hormonal balance of plants cultivated under normal and stressing conditions, from studies carried out for our group and collaborations during the last years. Summarizing, all these results show HA as a promising tool for improving crop adaptation to irrigation using moderate saline water sources.
How to improve quality of care in overcrowded emergency departments?
Development and evaluation of a virtual research environment. (Preprint)
Authors: Houze Cerfon Charles-Henri , Vaissié Christine , Gout Laurent , Bastiani Bruno , Charpentier Sandrine , Lauque Dominique
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Despite wide literature on ED overcrowding, scientific knowledge on emergency physicians’ cognitive processes coping with overcrowding is limited.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to develop and evaluate a virtual research environment that will allow us to study the effect of physicians’ strategies and behaviours on quality of care in the context of emergency department overcrowding.

METHODS

A simulation-based observational study was conducted over two stages: the development of a simulation model and its evaluation. A research environment in Emergency Medicine combining virtual reality and simulated patients has been designed and developed. Then, twelve emergency physicians took part in simulation scenarios and had to manage thirteen patients during a 2-hour period. The study outcome was the authenticity of the environment through realism, consistency and mastering. The realism was the resemblance perceived by the participants between virtual and real Emergency Department. The consistency of the scenario and the participants’ mastering of the environment was expected for 90% of the participants.

RESULTS

The virtual emergency department was considered realistic with no significant difference from the real world concerning facilities and resources except for the length of time of procedures that was perceived to be shorter. 100% of participants deemed that patient information, decision-making and managing patient flow were similar to real clinical practice. The virtual environment was well-mastered by all participants over the course of the scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

The new simulation tool, Virtual Research Environment in Emergency Medicine has been successfully designed and developed. It has been assessed as perfectly authentic by emergency physicians compared to real EDs and thus offers another way to study human factors, quality of care and patient safety in the context of ED overcrowding.
Jordan’s Principle: Reconciliation and the First Nations Child
Authors: Sheppard Colleen
Published: March 2019

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was mandated to “document the individual and collective harms” of residential schools and to “guide and inspire a process of truth and healing, leading toward reconciliation.”  The stories of survivors revealed the intergenerational and egregious harms of taking children from their families and communities. In seeking to redress the legacy of the residential schools era, the TRC Calls to Action include greater recognition of self-governance of Indigenous Peoples, as well as numerous recommendations for equitable funding of health, educational, and child welfare services.
De facto and de jure Crown Sovereignty: Reconciliation and Legitimation at the Supreme Court of Canada Ryan
Authors: Beaton Ryan
Published: March 2019

This paper offers a short story of Crown sovereignty at the Supreme Court Canada in order to shed light on questions the Court has raised about the legitimacy of Crown sovereignty over territory claimed by First Nations. In skeletal form, the story is simple. The Crown — first Imperial British and later Canadian federal and provincial — asserted sovereignty over what is now Canadian territory, and Canadian courts (and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) accepted those assertions without question. Yet the Supreme Court of Canada has lately qualified Crown sovereignty in striking ways, perhaps most notably in speaking of “de facto Crown sovereignty” in reasons released in 2004.
Senate Reform and the Political Safeguards of Canadian Federalism in Québec
Authors: Bédard-Rubin Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2019

Unlike in Canada, the doctrine of political safe-guards of federalism is a tantalizing presence in American constitutional law that changing tides and moods have never completely submerged. The core idea is simple: political institutions in the United States have been designed to ensure that interests of the states are represented in the federal decision-making process. Thus, the judiciary does not need to intervene to police the federal division of powers.
HERBAL MEDICINES QUESTIONNAIRE AND EVALUATION OF ATTITUDE, PERCEPTIONS AND SELF-USE AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN RAK, UAE: PILOT STUDY
Authors: AL-AZZAWI AMAD M. , MEHDI NEHAD , AL-JUBOORI ALYAA G. , EJAZ ANAM , ALI HANEEN , SARHEED OMAR
Published: March 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of different healthcare professionals towards HM.

Methods: The 16-item questionnaire on the belief of health care professionals in herbal medicine was designed by the interdisciplinary task force. Eligible participants were health care providers who were English-and Arabic-literate. The response rate was 78% of participants (781 of 1000) were respondents. In total, 553 out of 781 (71%) participants indicated that they had previously used herbal medicines. The remaining 228 participants did not believe in herbal medicine due to lack of scientific evidence, ineffectiveness and other reasons.

Results: The findings of this study indicate that health care professionals including pharmacists believe they have a responsibility to provide information on HM to their patients. However, the current consensus among the respondents is that current HM-focused knowledge is inadequate for such an application.

Conclusion: Health care professionals believe in using HM for their needs and have a responsibility to provide information on HM to their patients.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF UV-VISIBLE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF DULOXETINE
Authors: SAMAL LIPSA , PRUSTY AMARESH
Published: March 2019

Objective: The aim of the present work was to develop and validate a simple UV spectroscopic method for the determination of duloxetine, which is a thiophene derivative and a selective neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor for serotonin, norepinephrine, and to lesser degree dopamine.
Methods: The UV Spectrophotometric analysis was performed using Shimadzu UV-1800 and Shimadzu UV-1700 spectrophotometer by using solvent system acetonitrile and water in the ratio of 8:2. Detection was performed at a wavelength of 290 nm. Method validation was carried out according to ICH Q2R1 guidelines by taking the parameters linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness, and robustness, LOD and LOQ.
Results: The UV Spectrophotometric method was found linear in the range of 10-50 μg/ml. The method was rugged and robust with % relative standard deviation less than 2. The extraction recoveries were found to be higher than 99% in all experimental conditions.
Conclusion: Based upon the performance characteristics, the proposed method was found accurate, precise and rapid and suitable for the determination of Duloxetine for routine analysis.
BIOANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF IBRUTINIB IN BIOLOGICAL MATRICES BY LC-MS/MS
Authors: HEPSEBAH N. J. R. , KUMAR A. ASHOK
Published: March 2019

Objective: The main aim of the research was to develop a fast and highly sensitive bioanalytical LC-MS/MS technique for the quantitation of ibrutinib in human plasma.

Methods: Chromatography has achieved on a reverse phase-symmetry C18 (75 mm × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm) column with gradient elution by acetonitrile, methanol and 0.1%v/v formic acid as the mobile phase. Chromatographic peaks were resolved with 0.7 ml/min flow rate. Drug was extracted with ethyl acetate solvent by liquid-liquid extraction method. Monitoring of transition of m/z 441.2 and 55.01 for ibrutinib and 446.5 and 60.01 for Ibrutinib-D5 were made on multiple reaction monitoring.

Results: Calibration curve of ibrutinib was linear over 1-600 ng/ml concentration range with a regression coefficient (r2) value of>0.99. The % RSD values were less than 8.5% for inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy. The method has excellent recovery and the percentage recovery values of lower quality control (LQC), median quality control (MQC) and higher quality control (HQC) samples were 101.86%, 102.8%, and 99.28% respectively.

Conclusion: The drug was stable for more time at variable stability conditions and method was successfully applicable to the regular analysis of ibrutinib in biological matrices.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF GARLIC POWDER LOADED FLOATING MATRIX TABLET
Authors: PAWAR SHWETA
Published: March 2019

Objective: The objective of the present work was to formulate and evaluate a stable, odour free garlic powder loaded floating matrix tablet for the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Methods: A gastro-retentive floating matrix tablet (FMT) formulation of garlic powder (GP) was prepared using various concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M (HPMC K4 M) and effervescent system (sodium bicarbonate and citric acid in 1:1 % w/w) to achieve desirable floating time (FT), floating lag time (FLT) and drug release. Wet granulation method was selected using ethanol as a binder for preparation of tablet. 32 full factorial designs were used for selection of suitable polymer concentration and effervescent system. Nonenteric film coating was applied to mask GP odour.

Results: It was observed that FMT with optimum quantities of HPMC K4M and the effervescent system showed 97 % of drug release in 12 h with FT up to 10 h and minimum FLT of 3 min. There was no significant change in FLT, FT and drug content during the stability study of FMT.

Conclusion: A stable, sustained release FMT of GP tablets using HPMC K4M and an effervescent system was successfully prepared. This formulation can overcome problems of taste and odour masking, gastric irritation, and loss of active constituents present in garlic.
AN IMPROVED LC-MS/MS METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TRANDOLAPRIL AND VERAPAMIL IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: RAVI YATHA , RAJKAMAL B.
Published: March 2019

Objective: A simple, sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS technique was developed for the quantitation of trandolapril (TDL) and verapamil (VPL) in a biological matrix and validated.

Methods: Sample preparation processed by SPE (Solid Phase extraction) on phenomenex cartridge using Ledipasvir as an internal standard. Two drugs were eluted on waters symmetry-RP18 (5µ, 150 mm×4.0 mm) column with the mobile composition of 10 mmol ammonium formate and ACN(acetonitrile) in the ratio of 70:30 %V/V. Detection and quantitation were processed by electrospray ionization in positive ionization mode.

Results: The quantification approach was validated in 5-1500 ng/ml linear concentration range for TDL and 1-2000 ng/ml for VPL. The intraday and inter-day precision and accuracy were found to be 0.58% to 5.69% and 93% to 104% for two drugs. The average recoveries for TDL and VPL were found to be 92.9% and 93.5% respectively.

Conclusion: The developed work was validated and can be applicable to the routine analysis of TDL and VPL simultaneously in a biological matrix.
A REVIEW ON PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF ALPINIA GALANGA
Authors: Eram Shimaila , Mujahid Md , Bagga Paramdeep , Ansari Vaseem Ahamad , Ahmad Md Afroz , Kumar Arun , Ahsan Farogh , Akhter Md Sohel
Published: March 2019

Alpinia galanga plant which is associated with family Zingiberaceae is mainly scattered in tropical areas and widely known for ethno medicine. Against fungi and bacteria rhizome extract have a maximum inhibitory effect. Alpinia galanga plant is used in medicine and in food preparation. Rhizome extract of Alpinia galanga have high phenolic and flavonoid contents when compared to leaf extract. Because of elevated phenolic and flavonoid content in rhizome extract of Alpinia galanga there is noticeable antimicrobial as well as radical scavenging potential. It is a well-known official drug thought out the country as integrated contribution of nature. It is commonly used for the management of eczema, coryza, bronchitis, otitis interna, gastritis, ulcers, morbilli and cholera, pityriasis versicolor, to clear the mouth, emaciation. The different parts of the plant have various effects like antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiplatelet, antiviral, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant effects, hypolipidemic and many others. The essential oil of A. galanga identified 1, 8-cineol as a bioactive agent having antifeeding activity. An aqueous acetone extract of fruit of Alpinia galanga shows inhibitory effect on melanogenesis (formation of melanin). By using different methods, active constituent namely, 1'-acetochavicol acetate in hexane extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome was investigated for their corrosion inhibition properties. The current review add significant information about its, pharmacological activities, medicinal properties and phytochemical investigations as a traditional drug to cure for a number of diseases. Every fraction of the plant has valuable properties that can deliver humanity. The complete plant will be broadly investigated for further future prospective.