Characterization of Fe(III) Adsorption onto Zeolite and Bentonite.

In this study, the adsorption of Fe(III) from aqueous solution on zeolite and bentonite was investigated by combining batch adsorption technique, Atomic adsorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Although iron is commonly found in water and is an essential bioelement, many industrial processes require efficient removal of iron from water. Two types of zeolite and two types of bentonite were used. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities for removal of Fe (III) by Zeolite Micro 20, Zeolite Micro 50, blue bentonite, and brown bentonite were 10.19, 9.73, 11.64, and 16.65 mg.g-1, respectively. Based on the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of the raw samples and the solid residues after sorption at low and high initial Fe concentrations, the Fe content is different in the surface layer and in the bulk of the material. In the case of lower initial Fe concentration (200 mg.dm-3), more than 95% of Fe is adsorbed in the surface layer. In the case of higher initial Fe concentration (4000 mg.dm-3), only about 45% and 61% of Fe is adsorbent in the surface layer of zeolite and bentonite, respectively; the rest is adsorbed in deeper layers.

The Influence of Age on the Activity of Selected Biochemical Parameters of the Mouflon (Ovis musimon L.).

Blood analyses can be used to assess the health and physiological conditions of wild animals and may provide a precise picture of disease, habitat quality, and other environmental factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the age and the selected biochemical parameters of the female mouflon (Ovis musimon L.). This study creates a possible reference range of biochemical parameter concentrations in mouflon and aims to extend the knowledge of this wild game species within our geographical region. There have not been many studies dealing with this issue in our geographical region. A total of 57 female mouflons aged between 1 and 6 years (1-3 years n = 32, 4-6 years n = 25) and in good physical condition, with an average live weight between 32 and 40 kg were included in the research experiment between the two years. A total of 15 selected biochemical parameters were analyzed. Using statistical analysis, we noticed significant effects of age on almost three-quarters of analyzed biochemical parameters. A statistically significant correlation was observed between age and the parameters of glucose, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, cholesterol, creatinine, high-density lipoprotein, calcium, triglycerides, and urea. An evaluation of the European mouflon's biochemical parameters during the whole year may be a reliable method for judging a herd's condition, diagnosing medical disorders, and preventing the etiology of their occurrence. An analysis of biochemical parameters tells us about the functioning of individual organs as well as the animals' metabolism. Knowledge of the values of blood parameters is of special importance because they allow us to gather more information on mouflons.

Selected aspects of integrated environmental management.

Current trends in environmental care are characterised by the principles of comprehensiveness, integration, interdisciplinarity and transregionality. It is in this spirit that the methodological, legislative and economic instruments develop, and this whole trend is referred to using the term 'environmental management'. Environmental management constitutes a set of technical instruments and methods for managing the environment, based upon an identification of the environmental aspects of products, activities and services of any type of organisation, with the aim to adopt and implement effective proactive measures to reduce their negative impact on the environment. These measures, along with their level, relate to an organisation's possibilities, the market's pressure on it, and primarily with the organisation's management's awareness, maturity and ability to anticipate the introduction of stricter requirements. Environmental management, in the industrial production and service sectors, is one of the the most effective instruments for achieving the priority goal, which is to minimise the negative impact of production activities on the individual elements of the environment as part of the global trend of reducing the negative impact of human activity on the environment. The objective of this article is to indicate possibilities to improve the environment through the basic principles and techniques of integrated environmental management.

Concentrations of selected toxic elements in ewe living near an environmentally loaded area of eastern part of Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Research focused on the monitoring of selected heavy metals in ewes' blood. Concentrations of selected toxic elements, lead, cadmium and zinc, in ewes living near an environmentally-loaded area, concerned 15 ewes (aged 3-4 years) in good physical condition, during the spring of 2014 and 2015 in the eastern part of Slovakia. The aim of the research was to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals and state the correlations of selected heavy metals in ewes' blood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the period of 2 years, 15 ewe were evaluated. Ewes' blood samples were collected twice during the spring season from a farm located in area Spis, eastern Slovakia, and then analysed for heavy metal contents. In the area under investigation, contamination with heavy metals was assumed as a result of intensive agricultural development and former mining activities. The level of selected heavy metals in the experimental group of animal blood was determined using an optical spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistica programme. The significant differences between means were calculated by the statistical method of the non-parametric Mann-Whitney´s U test. The statistical test experimental group of ewes in 2014 and 2015 confirmed the presence of selected heavy metals in ewes. The measured values of Cd (P=0.0003), Pb (P=0.0200) and Zn (P=0.0018) showed significant differences when comparing the years 2014 and 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained and analysed blood samples confirmed the presence of selected heavy metals in ewes from area of Spis in eastern Slovakia, which belongs the sub-region or is among the localities environmentally burdened. The conclusions are centred on the population's interest and concern for the environment, as well as on the preoccupation with factors that affect the satisfaction of basic needs, the local agricultural development and former mining activities.

A preliminary trial of the sedation induced by intranasal administration of midazolam alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine and reversal by atipamezole for a short-term immobilization in pigeons.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sedative and immobilization effect of intranasal administration (INS) of midazolam (MID) without or with INS dexmedetomidine (DXM), and some physiological changes induced by the drugs. The ability of INS atipamezole to reverse the DXM component was also assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective 'blinded' experimental study. ANIMALS: In total, 15 pigeons. METHODS: Pigeons were sedated by INS MID alone at a dose of 5 mg kg(-1) (group MID, n = 6) or in combination with INS DXM at a dose 80 µg kg(-1) (group MID-DXM, n = 6). Measurements were made of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR ) and cloacal temperature (CT). The degree of sedation was assessed at 15 minutes prior to, immediately after, and at intervals until 100 minutes after drug administrations. Following MID-DXM, INS atipamezole (250 µg kg(-1) ) was administered and the same indices measured 5 and 10 minutes later. RESULTS: MID had no effect on HR and fR , and although CT decreased, it remained within physiological range. MID-DXM caused significant falls in HR, fR and CT that persisted until the end of sedation. Atipamezole antagonized sedation and cardiorespiratory side effects of MID-DXM within 10 minutes of application. In addition, for MID compared to MID-DXM, the lowest sedation scores [10 (7-14) and 10.5 (5-14) versus 2 (1-4) and 2 (1-5)] were achieved in the 10th and 20th minute versus the 20th and 30th minute of the sedation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MID alone, given INS had minimal side effects on vital functions but caused inadequate immobilization of pigeons for restraint in dorsal recumbency. MID-DXM caused an effective degree of immobilization from 20 to 30 minutes after administration, at which time birds tolerated postural changes without resistance. Atipamezole antagonized both side effects and sedation, but complete recovery had not occurred within 10 minutes after its application.