Bibliography: leaves 200-223.

Bibliography: leaves 213-245. Genetic control of tolerance to boron was investigated between a moderately tolerant variety, Halberd, a tolerant line G61450 and the moderately sensitive varieties Schomburgk and Condor.

Bibliography: leaves 234-256. Genetic studies of tolerance of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) to high concentrations of boron (B) were undertaken to identify genetic variation in response to B, the mode of gene action, number of genes and chromosomal locations of genes controlling tolerance. Results demonstrated that tolerance to B is under simple genetic control as observed in bread wheat. High levels of tolerance can be transferred into sensitive commercial varieties via backcrossing and selection can be performed during seedling growth at early generations.

<p>This thesis describes a multi-parameter biogeochemical investigation in a shallow hyper-eutrophic freshwater coastal lake, Zeekoevlei, in South Africa. The predominance of autochthonous algal-derived organic matter in lake sediments is indicated by low C/N, high H/C ratios and δ13Corganic values. Seepage from a nearby waste water treatment plant, rapid urbanization, raw sewage input and heavily fertilized farming in the catchments have caused enhanced productivity and is reflected by the changes in TOC concentrations, δ15N values, terrestrial to aquatic (n-alkane) ratio (TAR) and low carbon preference index (CPI) values. Eutrophic conditions were initiated in the lake with the start of recreational activities in early 1900s. Construction of dams and pondweed eradication in mid-1900s caused the transformation of the lake towards a hyper-eutrophic water body. Moreover, the aquatic macrophyte n-alkane proxy (Paq) values indicate the slow takeover by floating macrophytes after the eradication of submerged pondweeds in 1951. Low δ15N values and appearance of zeaxanthin indicate initiation of cyanobacterial bloom in the lake following pondweed eradication. Furthermore, the lake experienced intense cyanobacterial bloom after 1983 dredging. Although, cyanobacterial domination has decreased in recent years, hyper-eutrophic condition persists in the lake.</p><p>Chemical weathering process supplies major fraction of trace metals, whereas fertilizers, agricultural wastes, sewage effluents and road runoff constitute the anthropogenic fraction. Low industrialization in the catchments causes low metal pollution in waters. In addition, high pH and metal scavenging by planktons result low dissolved trace metal concentrations. Adsorption by CaCO3 and planktonic assimilation control trace metal and phosphorus (P) sedimentation. Lake sediments have low P retention capacity and P is released from surface sediments by wind-induced resuspension.</p>

The current study investigated application of natural adsorbents in brine treatment. Brines are hypersaline waters generated in power stations and mining industries rich in Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, Na+, SO4 2- , Cl- and traces of heavy metals, thus there is a need for these brines to be treated to recover potable water and remove problematic elements. Natural adsorbents have been successfully used in waste water treatment because of their high surface area and high adsorptive properties when they are conditioned with acid or base. The investigation of pH showed that natural adsorbents did not perform well at low pH of 4 and 6. The adsorbents were able to work efficiently at the natural pH of 8.52 of the brine solution. These results show that natural adsorbents hold great potential to remove cationic major components and selected heavy metal species from industrial brine wastewater. Heterogeneity of natural adsorbents samples, even when they have the same origin, could be a problem when wastewater treatment systems utilizing natural clinoptilolite and bentonite are planned to be developed. Therefore, it is very important to characterize the reserves fully in order to make them attractive in developing treatment technologies.

This thesis describes a multi-parameter biogeochemical investigation in a shallow hyper-eutrophic freshwater coastal lake, Zeekoevlei, in South Africa. The predominance of autochthonous algal-derived organic matter in lake sediments is indicated by low C/N, high H/C ratios and δ13Corganic values. Seepage from a nearby waste water treatment plant, rapid urbanization, raw sewage input and heavily fertilized farming in the catchments have caused enhanced productivity and is reflected by the changes in TOC concentrations, δ15N values, terrestrial to aquatic (n-alkane) ratio (TAR) and low carbon preference index (CPI) values. Eutrophic conditions were initiated in the lake with the start of recreational activities in early 1900s. Construction of dams and pondweed eradication in mid-1900s caused the transformation of the lake towards a hyper-eutrophic water body. Moreover, the aquatic macrophyte n-alkane proxy (Paq) values indicate the slow takeover by floating macrophytes after the eradication of submerged pondweeds in 1951. Low δ15N values and appearance of zeaxanthin indicate initiation of cyanobacterial bloom in the lake following pondweed eradication. Furthermore, the lake experienced intense cyanobacterial bloom after 1983 dredging. Although, cyanobacterial domination has decreased in recent years, hyper-eutrophic condition persists in the lake. Chemical weathering process supplies major fraction of trace metals, whereas fertilizers, agricultural wastes, sewage effluents and road runoff constitute the anthropogenic fraction. Low industrialization in the catchments causes low metal pollution in waters. In addition, high pH and metal scavenging by planktons result low dissolved trace metal concentrations. Adsorption by CaCO3 and planktonic assimilation control trace metal and phosphorus (P) sedimentation. Lake sediments have low P retention capacity and P is released from surface sediments by wind-induced resuspension.

Trace elements are essential for the host defence against infections, and during common infections, the balance of trace elements is changed in serum and tissues. Supplementation with selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is known to decrease the severity of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection in mice. Even the non-essential trace element arsenic (As) seems to influence the replication of some viruses. During the course of an acute CVB3 infection in mice, Se concentrations decreased in most tissues and were negatively correlated to viral load in our study. However, As concomitantly decreased in most tissues. As has previously been shown to interfere with the balance of essential trace elements. However, in the present study As supplementation in healthy mice resulted in minor effects on seven studied trace elements in serum and tissues. The effects of As supplementation were more pronounced in CVB3-infected mice, with an increase in As, but a decrease in Se in most tissues when compared with non-infected mice. As supplementation during CVB3 infection in mice decreased viral RNA concentrations in the brain (97%) and pancreas (75%), two of the target organs of this infection. In vitro experiments indicate that As caused an impaired virion assembly or release. In vivo, infection-induced expression of the host defence-associated genes nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were unaffected by As supplementation, except for an earlier increase in IFN-γ in the brain. In conclusion, a clinically relevant dose of As decreased the replication of CVB3 in vitro and in vivo. This antiviral effect in vivo was not related to changes in specific trace elements or in the host’s immune-mediated defence. Although the mechanism underlying the observed effect on viral replication remains to be further elucidated, As seems to be an intriguing trace element to study in the pursuit of new antiviral drugs.

14.8-MeV neutrons from a Cockcroft-Walton type accelerator/neutron generator have been used to irradiate particulate and ionic samples prepared from river water. Five-minute irradiations were performed in a flux of order 109 neutrons/cm2/sec at target position. Gamma-ray spectra resulting from the activated products were recorded with a spectrometer system consisting of a high resolution Ge(Li) detector (2.5% efficiency at 1330 keV) and multichannel analyzer. Trace elements present in the samples were identified by the characteristic gamma-ray energies and half lives associated with the decay products. Standards of known concentration were used to make relative determinations of the quantities of trace elements present in the water. Elements observed in samples with parts per million concentrations include Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, and Sr. Sensitivities for elements not observed in the water samples were also determined for As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Ti, Zn, and Zr.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Water samples in the vicinity of Muncie were analyzed for trace elements such as cadmium, chromium, lead, titanium, iron, zinc, barium, calcium, potassium, manganese, sodium, strontium and magnesium. The analysis was made by a lower rotating graphite electrode partly submerged in the water being analyzed. The light emitted by the spark was analyzed using a Littrow Spectrograph. Water samples were taken from five stations along the White River in the Muncie area. The intensities of the spectral lines of trace elements and of standardized solutions were compared for quantitative analysis. Trace metals detected and concentrations in (ppm) found were as follows: Ba 0.04, Ca 72.6,. K 0.05, Mg 23.7, Mn 0.05, Na 27.1, Sr 0.70, Cr 0.02. The elements Ca, Mg, Na and K were expected to be found in high concentration and Ba, Sr, Mn and Cr were expected to be found in low concentration.In a previous study conducted at Ball State, neutron activation analysis was used in this area with positive results for eleven elements. The purpose of the present study was to extend this research by attempting to detect elements by spark-emission spectroscopy concentrating on elements that were difficult to detect by neutron activation analysis.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

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