Mineral content and wildlife use of soil licks in southwestern Nepal

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 933-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein R. Moe

Twelve species of mammals were recorded at mineral licks during the dry season in lowland Nepal. When analyzed for extractable phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and sulphur concentrations and pH, only sodium concentration and pH were significantly higher than in control soil samples taken in both sal forest (Shorea robusta), in which all the licks were found, and adjacent riverine forest and grassland habitats. The axis deer (Axis axis) and common langur (Presbytis entellus) were the most common species on the licks. Axis deer used the licks intensively in January, just after grass sprouting, while most common langurs were recorded in March, after flushing of browse species. Sodium appeared to be the main element sought at the licks, based on both concentration differences between licks and controls and the significant relationship between axis deer use and the sodium content of the lick.

Author(s):  
Hellen S. Santos ◽  
Karine L. Buarque da Silva ◽  
Ariel E. Zanini ◽  
Danilo S. Coelho ◽  
Marcelo Embiruçu ◽  
...  

Background: Brazilian bentonites have a low sodium concentration in their interlayer structure. This is a problem with most of the industrial applications that demand the characteristics of sodium bentonites. Objective: As a solution for this limitation, sodium carbonate is added to in natura clays, promoting ion exchange between other interlayer cations with sodium. Methods: A process was used based on the principle of Stokes’ Law (BR Patent 10 2013 016298). For this, we used four glass columns in series, in which a high water flow was considered to obtain purified clays. It was proposed as a simple, fast and economical method for sodium determination that was developed and applied in bentonites by flame photometry. The equipment calibration was performed with a NaCl standard solution in concentrations between 80 and 110 ppm. The bentonites in the suspension were separated by means of centrifugation, being thus analyzed by a flame photometer. Results: The samples were prepared according to the manufacturer’s specifications to contain detectable amounts of sodium by means of flame photometry. A resulting linear relationship between the average value readings versus sodium standard content solution (both in ppm) was obtained by the logarithmic scale, as expected. Conclusion: The procedure allowed to define a method that could be used in the sodification control process, thus making it possible to differentiate the sodium cation content in terms of the value of cation exchange capacity (CEC) from bentonite. X-ray analysis of in natura and the sodified clays showed nanostructural differences related to interlayer distance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Bhawna Adhikari ◽  
◽  
Bhawana Kapkoti ◽  
Neelu Lodhiyal ◽  
L.S. Lodhiyal ◽  
...  

Present study was carried out to assess the structure and regeneration of Sal forests in Shiwalik region of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetation analysis and tree canopy density was determined by using quadrat and densitometer, respectively. Density of seedlings, saplings and trees was 490-14067, 37-1233, and 273-863 ind.ha-1 respectively. The basal area was 0.12-5.44 m2 ha-1 reported for saplings and 25.4-77.6 m2 ha-1 for trees. Regeneration of Sal was found good in Sal mixed dense forest followed by Sal open forest and Sal dense forest, respectively. Regeneration of Sal was assisted by the presence of associated tree species as well as the sufficient sunlight availability on ground due to adequate opening of canopy trees in Sal forest. Thus it is concluded that the density of tree canopy, sunlight availability and also associated tree species impacted the regeneration of Sal in the region.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Tomaszewski ◽  
Karin Eufinger ◽  
Hilde Poelman ◽  
Dirk Poelman ◽  
Roger De Gryse ◽  
...  

The effect of sodium content of the glass support on the crystallinity of sputteredTiO2films and photocatalytic breakdown of ethanol has been studied. It was found that the activity of the as-deposited (amorphous) films does not depend on the type of support used. The chemical composition of the glass support does influence the activity of annealed films. When using soda-lime glass support sodium diffuses into the film upon annealing, suppressing anatase crystallization and decreasing its photocatalytic activity. To decrease the influence of sodium, soda-lime glass coated with an e-beam evaporatedSiO2barrier layer was used with good result. A reduced sodium concentration in the film leads to well crystallized anatase after annealing. An increased photocatalytic activity was observed for these films.


Author(s):  
M. V. Strizhkova ◽  
O. I. Sebezhko ◽  
T. V. Konovalova ◽  
K. N. Narozhnykh ◽  
V. A. Andreeva ◽  
...  

The study of the biological role of chemical elements in farm animals is one of the issues that scientists continue to investigate. A comprehensive study of the gene pool and phenofund of breeds and species of farm animals is being carried out in Siberia. An important issue is the search for vital markers of macronutrient accumulation, including sodium in organs and tissues of animals. The article presents data on the content of sodium in the blood serum of offspring obtained from bulls-producers of the Holstein breed. The experiment was carried out at OAO Vaganovo, Kemerovo region. The sodium concentration was determined by the atomic emission method on an ICP AES IRIS spectrometer at the V. S. Sobolev Analytical Center for Collective Use of the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS. In the area of Holstein cattle breeding, there is no excess of LOC for heavy metals in soil, water, feed, organs and tissues of animals. The influence of the genotype of the fathers of the Holstein breed on the sodium content in the blood serum of sons was established. The sodium concentration in Fabio’s offspring was 1.9 times higher (240.4 mg/ l) than in Brio’s sons (P ˂ 0.001). By the level of sodium in the serum of offspring, bulls-producers were arranged in the following order: Brio ˂ Bonaire ˂ Malstrom ˂ Fabio in a proportion of 1: 1.3: 1.5: 1.9. The phenotypic variability of this element between the offspring of different producers differed by 3 times or more. Interbreed differentiation, the influence of the genotype of producers, differences between lines and families sign the hereditary determination of resistance and susceptibility to the accumulation of macro- and microelements in organs and tissues of animals.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debajit Rabha

The present paper deals with the above ground biomass and carbon stocks of an undisturbed Sal forest of Goalpara district, Assam, Northeast India. The average AGB and C were recorded 239.45 ± 12.8 Mg ha-1 and 119.73 ± 6.4 Mg ha-1. Density distribution curve indicates the high carbon sequestration potential of the stand in near future which further helps in climate change mitigation. Currently, conservation measures are well imposed in combine effort of local community and government. Legal involvement of local community in conservation exercises along with the forest department might be very effective in management of Sal forests.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i4.11743   International Journal of EnvironmentVolume-3, Issue-4, Sep-Nov 2014Page: 147-155 


1965 ◽  
Vol 209 (5) ◽  
pp. 955-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Garrahan ◽  
M. F. Villamil ◽  
J. A. Zadunaisky

Pieces of dog carotid artery were studied with respect to water and sodium content. Total sodium content averaged 113 ± 1.2 mm/kg fresh tissue; total water 73.6 ± 0.3% and inulin space 36.2 ± 0.5% of tissue wet wt. A total of 94.8 ± 1.3% of sodium exchanged within 6–12 min with Na22, and 97.4 ± 0.7% of the stable sodium was extracted in sodium-free solution (choline replacement). The curve of efflux of Na22 at 37 C could be decomposed into three simple exponentials with half-times of 42.5 ± 2.3 sec ( phase 1), 5.0 ± 0.3 min ( phase 2), and 71.0 ± 7.3 min ( phase 3). Exchange of sodium of phase 1 (extracellular) fitted well with a theoretical diffusion curve, showed low temperature coefficient and no potassium dependency, and was not influenced by ouabain. Exchange of sodium of phase 2 (cellular) showed high temperature coefficient and potassium dependency and was sensitive to ouabain. Calculations based on the compartmental analysis indicate a too-great intracellular sodium concentration. Binding of sodium to polyanions in the extracellular space is suggested as a possible explanation of the results.


1972 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Needle ◽  
W. Shapiro ◽  
V. Viswanathan ◽  
M. Semar

1. Erythrocytes were incubated in buffers with different [bicarbonate]/[chloride] ratios. 2. The erythrocyte sodium content was higher in buffers with higher [bicarbonate]/ [chloride] ratios. 3. The rise in erythrocyte sodium concentration with increase in [bicarbonate]/[chloride] ratio was independent of the effects of ouabain and ouabain plus ethacrynic acid. Primaquine-induced changes in membrane permeability, ATP depletion by starvation and the use of potassium-free buffers did not change the effect. 4. The results may demonstrate a system which either increases the permeability of erythrocytes to sodium or regulates the sodium content of erythrocytes by a carrier system which is independent of ATP.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 1735-1744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein R. Moe ◽  
Per Wegge

A total of 17 axis deer (Axis axis) (12 females, 5 males) were radio-instrumented in Bardia National Park in lowland Nepal, and 1921 locations of females and 605 locations of males were obtained during the 2-year study period. Both the annual home ranges (135 ± 33 and 204 ± 38 (SD) ha for females and males, respectively) and the seasonal home ranges were quite small compared with those reported in another study in Nepal. We present evidence that this difference is due to a more fine-grained habitat mosaic in Bardia. Males used larger areas than females in the monsoon and the hot part of the dry season. The deer were sedentary, with a mean seasonal home range overlap between 49 and 86%, and seasonal occupancy centres were all located less than 1300 m apart. Mean seasonal home range size (68 and 110 ha for females and males, respectively) was smallest in the cool part of the dry season. The rutting period did not seem to have any major effect on the ranging behaviour, as neither males nor females increased home range size from the pre-rut to the rutting period. The deer used riverine forest preferentially during the cool-dry and hot-dry seasons, whereas sal forest was the preferred habitat during the monsoon and the cool-dry season. Grasslands were preferentially utilized by females at night during the hot-dry season, presumably because of improved forage quality following cutting and burning. Males were more associated with riverine and sal forest than were females, while females used grassland areas more than males did.


2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 601-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin C. Miller ◽  
Gary W. Mack ◽  
Kenneth L. Knight

Abstract Context: Small volumes of pickle juice (PJ) relieve muscle cramps within 85 seconds of ingestion without significantly affecting plasma variables. This effect may be neurologic rather than metabolic. Understanding PJ's gastric emptying would help to strengthen this theory. Objective: To compare gastric emptying and plasma variables after PJ and deionized water (DIW) ingestion. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Ten men (age  =  25.4 ± 0.7 years, height  =  177.1 ± 1.6 cm, mass  =  78.1 ± 3.6 kg). Intervention(s): Rested, euhydrated, and eunatremic participants ingested 7 mL·kg−1 body mass of PJ or DIW on separate days. Main Outcome Measure(s): Gastric volume was measured at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes postingestion (using the phenol red dilution technique). Percentage changes in plasma volume and plasma sodium concentration were measured preingestion (−45 minutes) and at 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes postingestion. Results: Initial gastric volume was 624.5 ± 27.4 mL for PJ and 659.5 ± 43.8 mL for DIW (P > .05). Both fluids began to empty within the first 5 minutes (volume emptied: PJ  =  219.2 ± 39.1 mL, DIW  =  305.0 ± 40.5 mL, P < .05). Participants who ingested PJ did not empty further after the first 5 minutes (P > .05), whereas in those who ingested DIW, gastric volume decreased to 111.6 ± 39.9 mL by 30 minutes (P < .05). The DIW group emptied faster than the PJ group between 20 and 30 minutes postingestion (P < .05). Within 5 minutes of PJ ingestion, plasma volume decreased 4.8% ± 1.6%, whereas plasma sodium concentration increased 1.6 ± 0.5 mmol·L−1 (P < .05). Similar changes occurred after DIW ingestion. Calculated plasma sodium content was unchanged for both fluids (P > .05). Conclusions: The initial decrease in gastric volume with both fluids is likely attributable to gastric distension. Failure of the PJ group to empty afterward is likely due to PJ's osmolality and acidity. Cardiovascular reflexes resulting from gastric distension are likely responsible for the plasma volume shift and rise in plasma sodium concentration despite nonsignificant changes in plasma sodium content. These data support our theory that PJ does not relieve cramps via a metabolic mechanism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Schmieder ◽  
S Jung ◽  
D Kannenkeril ◽  
J M Harazny ◽  
K Striepe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Studies describe a linkage between greater sodium intake and higher incidence of organ damage and cardiovascular end points. Sodium intake is usually assessed by measuring 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, which is prone to high fluctuation. For the assessment of tissue sodium a new technique (23Na-MRI) has been developed. We analyzed whether tissue sodium is linked to vascular remodeling of small resistance vessels in patients with type-2 diabetes. Methods In patients with type 2 diabetes we assessed tissue sodium content and vascular structural parameters of the retinal arterioles, since structural changes of resistance vessels (150–300 μm) can be non-invasively and reliably assessed in the retinal circulation by Scanning Laser Doppler Flowmetry (SLDF). Patients with antidiabetic medication were off the therapy (antihypertensives were kept constant) for 4 weeks. The structural parameters of retinal arterioles assessed were outer- and inner diameter (OD & ID), wall thickness (WT), wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) and wall cross sectional area (WCSA). Tissue sodium content was assessed non-invasively with a 3.0 T clinical MRI system in each patient. Subject placed their lower legs in the center of a 23Na knee coil and sodium content in skin and muscle (musculus triceps surae) were measured. Results In patients with type 2 diabetes (N=52) we observed a significant correlation between tissue sodium content (muscle and skin) and OD, WT and WCSA and a trend has been noticed between muscle sodium content and ID and WLR. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that tissue sodium content is a significant determinant of hypertrophic vascular remodeling as indicated by increased WT and WCSA, independent of age, gender and 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure. Correlation coefficients Muscle sodium content (mmol/l) Skin sodium content (mmol/l) OD (μmol) r=0.402, p=0.003 r=0.299, p=0.033 ID (μmol) r=0.265, p=0.058 r=0.202, p=0.154 WT (μm) r=0.402, p=0.003 r=0.313, p=0.026 WLR r=0.247, p=0.078 r=0.171, p=0.230 WCSA (μm2) r=0.417, p=0.002 r=0.322, p=0.021 Conclusion With the novel 23Na-MRI technology, we could demonstrate that high tissue sodium concentration is linked to with hypertrophic vascular remodeling of retinal arterioles. Thus, the reduction of tissue sodium content may emerge as a therapeutic target.


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