[en] The International Atomic Energy Agency, among its efforts to promote the wider use of isotope techniques in hydrology and related environmental disciplines, organized an International Symposium on Applications of Isotope Techniques in Studying Past and Current Environmental Changes in the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere, held in 1993 in Vienna. The broad scientific interest and abundant participation in the symposium, as well as the rapid progress seen in this field since then, encouraged the IAEA to organize a second symposium of this kind. It was held from 14 to 18 April 1997 in Vienna and brought together 177 scientists representing 46 Member States, UNESCO, FAO, WMO, the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP). The symposium was structured in five sessions of oral presentations, a poster session and a round table discussion that focused on trends and future requirements in isotope hydrology and on applications in climate and environmental research. The major themes covered by the presentations included the use of isotopic tracers in studies of atmospheric and hydrospheric changes and of the human impact on water and the environment. Special emphasis was placed on isotopic archives of climatic and environmental change. Some contributions addressed new technical approaches

[en] The impact of gamma irradiation with doses between 0 and 8 kGy on microbiological quality of chicken meat produced in Japan and micro flora change of irradiated chicken meat were studied. Radiation at the dose 2 kGy resulted in 4 log cycles reduction of total aerobic bacteria, 5 - 6 log cycles reduction of lactic acid bacteria and 2 log cycles reduction of fungi and yeasts. For the coliforms, it could be eliminated below detectable level by irradiation dose of 1 kGy. For the chicken flora-analysis, it was found that chicken of each area had their own specific microbial community structure. Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas were found to be dominant organisms in the microflora of Japanese chicken meat. Irradiation with dose 2 kGy resulted in disappearance of Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas. The microorganisms which dominated in irradiated chickens with doses of 2 kGy and higher were Psychrobacter and yeast. These studies support the view that radiation improves the microbiological quality of chicken meat and substantiate that radiation does not present hazard resulting from a change in the microflora of irradiated chicken

[en] The survey of the mango seed weevil during February to July of 1993-1995 at Ratchaburi province, Chachoengsao province and Chieng Mai province. Only at Chieng Mai province was found at 2.35 percent to 37.36 percent. Outbreak occurred in the mango orchard which there was no insecticide application and pruning. Over 20 years old of the mango trees with the crevices of the bark around the trunk would be the host area of the adult mango seed weevil. The adult would hibernate by living in the crevice of the bark and in the ground around the base of the trunk. All specimens of mango seed weevils found was Sternochaetus oliveri (Faust). The study on effect of gamma radiation on the adult of mango seed weevil found that L D₉₉ is 1.39 kGy after 28 days of irradiation. They were very slow movement without feeding and mating

[en] The effect of gamma radiation on microorganisms in sludge from Huay Kwang Sewage Treatment Plant and Vajira Hospital showed that total bacterial counts were reduced to 2-3 log cycles and 1-2 log cycles at 5 kGy irradiation with and without aeration, respectively. Inactivation of coliform bacteria in sludge required irradiation with and without aeration at the dosages of 3-4.5 and 4-5 kGy, respectively. A dose of 2-3 kGy was sufficient to inactivate fecal coliform bacteria and E. coli. The doses used for inactivation these bacteria depend on the irradiation condition and solid content in sludge sample. Irradiation with aeration led to an increased microbial inactivation. According to our results, the frequency of occurrence of salmonella e contaminated in sludge from Huay Kwang Sewage Treatment Plant and Vajira Hospital was 50% and 75%, respectively. A dose of 2 kGy irradiation with or without aeration, salmonella e could not be detected in any sludge. Clostridium perfringens organisms were also detected in non-irradiated and irradiated sludge from both sources. Moreover, a dose of 5 kGy irradiation with or without aeration was not enough to eliminate C. perfringens. However, no shigella e were isolated from any treatment of sludge

[en] Radiopharmaceutical kit is a diagnostic compound which contains Stannous (II) as a reducing agent. The quantity of Stannous (II) is depended on the type of kits. So the quantity of Stannous (II) is determined by polarographic method with Differential Pulse Voltammetry (D P Mode) in which a saturated calomel electrode is used as anode and a dropping mercury electrode is used as cathode. Both of electrodes are immerged in the premixed solution of supporting electrolyte and analytical Stannous (II). The Stannous (II) is determined by direct method Stannous (II) is analyzed in the form of Stannous; Sn²⁺ itself, and indirect method Stannous (II) is analyzed in the form of S tannic; Sn⁴⁺ (Sn²⁺, + N H 4⁺----> Sn⁴⁺). Both methods are done at polarographic half wave potential -470 and -520 mV respectively. The Limit of Detection (LOD) of the direct method is 1.9445 micro g and indirect method is 1.3018 micro g. The result received from indirect method is much more accurate than the direct method (Sn²⁺). The accuracy of the direct method is about 97.5-102.5% recovery

[en] The study of rare earths separation by solvent extraction, which is a part of monazite breakdown process, has been done by shaking in separatory funnel to initiate the cross-current and the counter-current with reflux technique. Rare earths in the aqueous nitrate solution were extracted by 50% tributyl phosphate (TB P) in kerosene. The results show the preferable separation of the latter to the former technique

[en] Pilot scale storage tests were carried out in co-operation with commercial onions traders in the years 1986 and 1987 to evaluate the efficacy of irradiation for sprout inhibition of onions under actual commercial stored in commercial cold storage at 1-10 degrees C and 70-90% relative humidity. The results show that irradiation reduce sprouting in onions by 11 and 40 per cent and weight loss by 3 and 5 per cent after 5 and 6 months of storage, respectively. Storage losses are minimum when radiation is applied within two weeks of harvest. A maximum storage life of six months as against five months for controls is attained. Post cold storage life at ambient temperature for irradiated onions after withdrawal from cold storage is one week longer than that of non-irradiated controls. The radio inhibition process is technically feasible and economically justified as a profit can be made during the extended storage period. Marketing trials of irradiated onions conducted during and after termination of storage revealed no adverse comments from consumers and retailers/wholesalers. Wholesalers.retailers and consumers preferred irradiated onions because of their better physical quality and longer marketable life

[en] One of the aims of environmental research at the GSF Research Centre for the Environment and Health is to determine the behaviour of environmentally consequential chemicals in terrestrial ecosystems under as natural conditions as possible. The GSF lysimeter plant in Neuherberg permits studying the environmental behaviour of organic chemicals in different soils. Collaborators at GSF have developed a means of applying -14-marked substances in field lysimeters so as to be able to refind released chemicals, identify their conversion products and set up mass balances for the chemicals

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No abstract available