Diurnal Variations In pH Research Articles

Characterisation of pH variations along the Ba River in Fiji utilising the GEF R2R framework during the 2019 sugarcane season

Within Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS), the ridge-to-reef (R2R) approach has emerged as a framework for monitoring river connectivity between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The study measured water quality, including pH, over 88.40 km of the Ba River in Fiji. The sampling design focused on measuring spatio-temporal variability in pH throughout the sugarcane season with three rapid sampling periods (RSP1, 2 & 3) along the Ba River, together with continuous measurement of temperature and pH using stationary data loggers at two locations upstream and downstream of the sugar mill. Spatial variability in pH and water quality was characterised before (RSP1 and RSP2) and during (RSP3) the sugarcane season. Mean pH measured before the sugarcane crushing season for RSP1 and RSP2 were 8.16 (± 0.49) and 8.20 (± 0.61) respectively. During the sugarcane crushing season (RSP3), mean pH declined by 3.06 units to 6.94 within 42 m downstream of the sugar mill (P ≤ 0.001). The 3.06 unit decline in pH for RSP3 exceeded both the mean diurnal variation in pH of 0.39 and mean seasonal variation in pH of 2.01. This decline in pH could be a potential source of acidification to downstream coastal ecosystems with implications for coral reefs, biodiversity and fishery livelihoods.

Changes of ruminal pH, rumination activity and feeding behaviour during early lactation as affected by different energy and fibre concentrations of roughage in pluriparous dairy cows

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to assess differences of ruminal pH and rumination activity between the prepartal and postpartal period of cows and to investigate changes of feeding behaviour and ruminal fermentation depending on postpartal rations with slight differences in roughage energy and fibre concentration. Therefore, 11 rumen-cannulated German Holstein cows were used from 3 weeks antepartum until 16 weeks postpartum. During the dry period, all cows received the same diet. After calving cows were assigned to two groups receiving partial mixed rations with different energy concentrations (6.1 MJ NEL/kg DM [moderate], with 18% straw on dry matter [DM] basis, group MR) or 6.5 MJ NEL/kg DM [high], with 6% straw on DM basis, group HR). In both groups, concentrates were supplied on average at 45% of total DM intake. Circadian measurements of ruminal pH, ruminal temperature and rumination activity were conducted weekly during the transition period and bi-weekly after week 4 postpartum. Throughout the postpartal period, feed intake behaviour was measured, and twice during the experiment, rumen fluid composition and net-acid-base excretion in urine were determined. Mean ruminal pH, feeding behaviour, rumination activity and rumen fluid composition did not differ between the groups, whereas group HR exhibited higher diurnal variations of pH and had a lower rumen temperature than group MR postpartum. However, these differences also occurred during the prepartal period when groups received equal rations. It was observed that ruminal pH values and the risk for subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) were increased during postpartal period, whereby the circadian pH values showed high cow-individual variations. Overall, differences of energy and fibre concentrations in roughage did not affect the observed variables, whereby it should be noted that the number of cows was quite low in this study. Our results suggest that the ruminal pH characteristics are rather cow individual, indicating that cows presumably differ in their susceptibility to develop SARA.

Diurnal Fluctuations in Acidification and Hypoxia Reduce Growth and Survival of Larval and Juvenile Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians) and Hard Clams (Mercenaria mercenaria)

Diurnal variations in pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are common seasonal phenomena in many eutrophic estuaries, yet few studies have investigated the concurrent effects of low pH and low DO on marine organisms inhabiting these coastal systems. Here, we assess the effects of diurnal variations in pH and DO on the early-life history of two bivalve species native to Northeast US estuaries, the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) and hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). In one set of experiments, larval- and juvenile-life stage bivalves were exposed to ambient conditions (pHT ~ 7.9), two continuously-low pH levels (pHT ~ 7.3 and 7.6), and diurnal fluctuations between the ambient and low conditions yielding mean pH levels equal to the intermediate pH levels. In a second set of experiments, larval bivalves were exposed to ambient conditions (pHT ~7.9, DO ~ 7 mg L-1), two levels of low pH and DO (pHT ~ 7.2, DO ~1 mg L-1; pHT ~7.4, DO ~ 4 mg L-1) and diurnal fluctuations of both pH and DO between the ambient and low pH/DO levels that resulted in mean pH and DO levels equal to the intermediate pH and DO levels. Diurnal acidification treatments with ambient DO levels yielded survival rates for both species at both life stages that were consistent with the survival of individuals exposed to the same mean level of chronic pH with juveniles being more resistant to acidification than larvae. In contrast, when both pH and DO varied diurnally, the survival rates of larval bivalves were significantly lower than the survival of individuals chronically exposed to the same mean levels of pH and DO, an indication that bivalves were physiologically more vulnerable to concurrent fluctuations of both parameters compared to acidification alone. While both species displayed sensitivities to diurnal fluctuations in pH and DO, scallops were relatively more susceptible than hard clams. Since many shallow eutrophic estuaries presently experience diurnal cycles of both pH and DO when early-life stages of bivalves are present in estuaries, the populations of the bivalves studied are likely impacted by these conditions which are likely to intensify with climate change.

Modelling trace metal transfer in large rivers under dynamic hydrology: A coupled hydrodynamic and chemical equilibrium model

Trace metals (TMs) in rivers experience a complex chemistry that affects their partitioning between the dissolved and particulate fractions. Predictive modelling of this partitioning is challenging, particularly under variable hydrodynamic conditions in rivers. This paper presents a coupled hydrodynamic–geochemical model for trace metal dynamics in rivers, to highlight key parameters and set a basis for developing simplified models. A coupled model based on the hydrodynamic model MOHID and the chemical speciation model WHAM was applied to the middle part of the Garonne River (SW-France). The predictions of the coupled model are compared to those of a fixed Kd partitioning model.The model accurately simulates trace metal behaviour under varying hydrological conditions. The importance of the riverbed geomorphology and the diurnal variations in pH on TM concentrations in the water column are underlined. The sensitivity analysis ranked all physico-chemical parameters according to their influence on TM behaviour.

Changes in rumen absorption processes during transition

Transition is defined as the period from 3 weeks before parturition until 3 weeks postpartum and is characterized by changes in endocrine status and by major alterations in the requirement for nutrients, vitamins and minerals. At parturition, the dry period diet is replaced by an ad libitum offered lactation diet, which causes changes of rumen fermentation because of its higher energy density and the overall increase of dry matter intake. Hence, ruminal fermentation parameters such as pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and osmotic pressure are changed. This causes alterations in the rumen epithelium generally termed adaptation: the modulation of enzyme activities, an increase in the number and size of papillae and enhanced transport rates of ions. These effects are well documented when sheep or cows are experimentally and independent of parturition shifted from a low energy (roughage) to a concentrate diet. Only a few studies have been conducted in cows during transition and, thus, data on diet dependent effects on postpartum rumen acidosis are absent and information regarding number and size of papillae is inconsistent. Furthermore, investigations of gene expression related to VFA absorption or metabolism have not shown diet dependent alterations. However, evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies exists that the stimulation of fermentation before parturition enhances the transport rates of Na, Cl and VFA across bovine rumen epithelium. The underlying mechanisms for epithelial adaptation to dietary alterations are poorly understood at present. Luminal factors such as increased VFA concentrations (particularly butyrate) and the hormonal effects of insulin and of insulin like growth factor 1 have partly been confirmed to be involved in the regulation of this adaptation process. More research is needed in order to determine the factors causally inducing adaptational responses and the amount of dietary change at which the adaptational responses apparently level off. Despite these uncertainties, an increase of energy and protein intake undoubtedly improves the barrier and transport functions of the epithelium. Consequently, at least for 2 weeks before parturition, a diet should be offered that is fermented more easily and more rapidly than the diet in the early dry period. Furthermore, efforts should be directed towards an improved voluntary food intake before and after parturition, with special attention being paid to the mechanisms enabling the epithelium to adapt to and handle the regular diurnal variations in pH, VFA concentration and osmotic pressure, mechanisms that seem to fail in the pathophysiology of subacute rumen acidosis.

A novel non‐invasive optical method for quantitative visualization of pH dynamics in the rhizosphere of plants

A novel optical method for non-invasive, quantitative and high-resolution imaging of spatial and temporal pH dynamics in soils mediated by plant roots is introduced. This method overcomes present limitations of measurement of pH, mainly short-term and punctiform measurements, by recording long-term dynamics of the micro-pattern of pH in the root-soil interface without disturbance of the biological and physico-chemical conditions. Juncus effusus L., rooting in a permanently flooded rhizotron, was selected as the test organism for qualifying the technique. The measurements showed pronounced diurnal variations of pH along the roots, particularly along the elongation zone. Diurnal oscillation of pH caused by the roots reached up to 0.5 units. Long-term records at 4 s intervals over more than 8 weeks revealed considerable spatial and temporal patterns of pH dynamics in the rhizosphere of about 10% of the pH scale (pH 7.0-8.5). The measured data were validated by the use of pH electrodes. Concomitantly measured oxygen concentration showed hypoxic conditions around root tips (10-70 micromol O2 L-1) and almost anoxic conditions (0.9 micromol O2 L-1) in the bulk soil. The present study qualifies this novel pH-sensing technique as a powerful analytical tool for quantitative visualization of undisturbed bioprocess dynamics.

Effect of a metabolically created systemic acidosis on calcium homeostasis and the diurnal variation in urine pH in the non-lactating pregnant dairy cow

Reducing the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) has been shown to be an effective means of preventing parturient paresis in confinement systems where cows are offered a total mixed ration containing DCAD-reducing mineral compounds (anionic salts). Such a supplementation strategy is not possible in cows being group fed forages precalving, and little is known about the effect of supplementing these cows with large amounts of anionic salts twice daily. Eight non-lactating, pregnant Holstein-Friesian cows were allocated to two levels of DCAD (-20 and +18 meq/100 g DM) for 24 d, with an intensive Ca balance undertaken in metabolism stalls following a 2-week acclimatization to diet. The basal diet was 3 kg DM of crushed barley and 7 kg DM of pasture-hay. Urine and faeces were collected separately, weighed daily for 5 d and analysed for Ca content. Urinary Ca, creatinine and hydroxyproline concentration and plasma Ca concentration were determined during the period of the balance study. The diurnal pattern in urine and rumen pH was determined over 2 d. Decreasing DCAD reduced (P<0.001) the pH of urine, and increased (P<0.05) Ca absorption. Plasma Ca concentration was not affected by DCAD, and DCAD did not affect the output of urinary hydroxyproline, a marker of bone resorption. Twice-daily supplementation of anionic salts was sufficient to reduce the pH of blood and increase gastrointestinal Ca absorption. There was no diurnal variation in the pH of urine, suggesting that time of sampling to determine efficacy of DCAD in reducing systemic pH was not important.

Log DOW: Key to Understanding and Regulating Wastewater-Derived Contaminants

Environmental Context. Worldwide, surface water is a source of drinking water and is a recipient of wastewater effluents and pollutants. Many surface water bodies undergo a natural, cyclical, diurnal variation in pH between 7 and 9. Most drinking water and wastewater treatment in the United States is conducted between pH 7 and 8. The pH of water undergoing treatment processes directly impacts the ratio of nonionized to ionized chemical form(s) present, which in turn impacts the success rate of contaminant removal. Many organic wastewater-derived contaminants are very water soluble at pH 7–8 and are inadequately treated. Abstract. Wastewater-derived contaminants (WWDCs) occur in surface water due to inadequate wastewater treatment and subsequently challenge the capabilities of drinking water treatment. Fundamental chemical properties must be understood to reduce the occurrence of known WWDCs and to better anticipate future chemical contaminants of concern to water supplies. To date, examination of the fundamental properties of WWDCs in surface water appears to be completely lacking or inappropriately applied. In this research, the hydrophobicity–ionogenicity profiles of WWDCs reported to occur in surface water were investigated, concentrating primarily on pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), steroids, and hormones. Because most water treatment is conducted between pH 7 and 8 and because DOW, the pH-dependent n-octanol–water distribution ratio embodies simultaneously the concepts of hydrophobicity and ionogenicity, DOW at pH 7–8 is presented as an appropriate physicochemical parameter for understanding and regulating water treatment. Although the pH-dependent chemical character of hydrophobicity is not new science, this concept is insufficiently appreciated by scientists, engineers, and practitioners currently engaged in chemical assessment. The extremely hydrophilic character of many WWDCs at pH 7–8, indicated by DOW (the combination of KOW and pKa) not by KOW of the neutral chemical, is proposed as an indicator of occurrence in surface water.

Diurnal Variation in Ruminal pH on the Digestibility of Highly Digestible Perennial Ryegrass During Continuous Culture Fermentation

Dairy cows grazing high-digestibility pastures exhibit pronounced diurnal variation in ruminal pH, with pH being below values considered optimal for digestion. Using a dual-flow continuous culture system, the hypothesis that minimizing diurnal variation in pH would improve digestion of pasture when pH was low, but not at a higher pH, was tested. Four treatments were imposed, with pH either allowed to exhibit normal diurnal variation around an average pH of 6.1 or 5.6, or maintained at constant pH. Digesta samples were collected during the last 3 d of each of four, 9-d experimental periods. A constant pH at 5.6 compared with a constant pH of 6.1 reduced the digestibility of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) by 7, 14, and 21%, respectively. When pH was allowed to vary (averaging 5.6), digestion of OM, NDF, and ADF were reduced by 15, 30, and 36%, respectively, compared with pH varying at 6.1. There was little difference in digestion parameters when pH was either constant or varied with an average pH of 6.1. However, when average pH was 5.6, maintaining a constant pH significantly increased digestion of OM, NDF, and ADF by 5, 25, and 24% compared with a pH that exhibited normal diurnal variation. These in vitro results show that gains in digestibility and potential milk production can be made by minimizing diurnal variation in ruminal pH, but only when ruminal pH is low (5.6). However, larger gains in productivity can be achieved by increasing average daily ruminal pH from 5.6 to 6.1.

Diurnal Variation in pH Reduces Digestion and Synthesis of Microbial Protein when Pasture is Fermented in Continuous Culture

Many models of digestion assume steady-state conditions and do not account for diurnal variation in the rumen environment. This experiment examined the relationships between diurnal pH, pasture digestion, and microbial protein synthesis. Four dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used to test the effect of increasing time at suboptimal pH on parameters of digestion. Fermentation of high quality pasture was controlled at pH 5.4 (suboptimal) for four intervals during each 24-h period (0, 4, 8, and 12h) according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. During the remainder of each day, pH was controlled at 6.3 (optimal). Samples were collected during the last 3 d of each of the four 9-d experimental periods. A negative quadratic relationship was observed between time at suboptimal pH and apparent digestibility of organic matter and dry matter. The largest reduction in digestibility of organic matter, dry matter, and neutral detergent fiber was exhibited after 4h at suboptimal pH. A negative linear relationship was found between time at suboptimal pH and microbial N flow, with the greatest decline in microbial N flow occurring at 12h at suboptimal pH. These results suggest that the period of time that pH is below optimal may be more critical for digestion than the relationship between mean daily pH and optimal pH. Modeling nonsteady-state ruminal conditions to account for diurnal variation in the ruminal environment may improve the prediction of digestion, especially fiber.

Effects of aquatic macrophytes on physico-chemical conditions of three contrasting lowland streams: a consequence of diffuse pollution from agriculture?

Three lowland streams in developed pasture catchments with different farming intensities exhibited contrasting summer diurnal variations in pH, DO and temperature. These are ascribed to differences in dominant aquatic vegetation and their respective effects on shade, and on photosynthetic production and respiration within each stream. The stream dominated by submerged macrophytes had the greatest amplitude swings in DO and pH, and DO levels of 86-128% saturation. Floating marginal macrophytes reduced photosynthetic inputs while providing additional organic loading for respiration, with consequent flat DO and pH curves and conditions not conducive to healthy stream ecosystems. The third stream was shaded by riparian plants, which inhibited photosynthetic effects on DO and pH so that diurnal variation was intermediate between the other two streams. The interaction between nutrients and increased insolation in agricultural catchments, in stimulating aquatic plants, needs to be better understood for managing the sustainability of stream habitats and ecosystems.

Ammonia and Toxicity Criteria in Polluted Onondaga Lake, New York

Temporal patterns of total ammonia (T‐NH3) in the upper layers of an ammonia‐polluted, saline, hypereutrophic urban lake, Onondaga Lake, New York, and its status with respect to ammonia toxicity criteria are documented and evaluated for the spring to fall interval over 10 years (1989 to 1998). Implications of revisions (n = 5) in the criteria (1985 to 1999) and the omission of ionic strength effects in the most recent revisions for this saline system are considered. The implications of diurnal variations in pH for application of both chronic and acute criteria are illustrated based on 14 days of hourly pH data. Concentrations of T‐NH3 in the upper layers of this lake were extremely high because of discharges received from a 3.5 m3/s (80 mgd) wastewater treatment plant; the average concentration during the April to June interval for the 10 years was 2.3 mg/L. Substantial interannual and seasonal variations were observed in the T‐NH3 pool of the lake. April concentrations were largely regulated by the dilution provided by antecedent (i.e., December to March) tributary flow. Revisions of the chronic criteria have been progressively less stringent for low ionic strength conditions. However, under the saline conditions of this lake, the most recent (1998 and 1999) revisions can be more stringent than the earlier criteria. The 1984 chronic criterion (published in 1985) was exceeded by a wide margin annually (average factor of 2.2 for April to June) and for durations greater than 75 days. Widely different diurnal patterns in pH and the occurrence of an exceedance of the 1998 acute criterion during a pH maximum are documented. These diurnal variations are an important factor in the design of programs to assess status and in application of criteria for productive systems.

Riverine inputs of major ions and trace elements to the tidal reaches of the River Tweed, UK

This paper examines spatial and temporal variability in freshwater inputs of trace elements and major ions to the tidal reaches of the River Tweed. The relationships between concentrations of major ions and trace elements (in dissolved and acid-available particulate forms) and flow are examined, and a simple two-component endmember mixing analysis performed to link river water chemistry to catchment sources, and to identify whether within-river processes modify concentrations to produce non-conservative behaviour. The results indicate that most dissolved major ions and trace elements behave conservatively in the lower reaches of the River Tweed, the variability in concentrations being dominated by hydrology and the existence of different high-flow and low-flow endmember runoff chemistries. This suggests that the variability in concentration of most dissolved trace elements and major ions in the lower Tweed can be modelled using simple mixing relationships. However, the relationships between pH, Ca, Mg and Gran alkalinity show pronounced non-conservative behaviour, indicating the importance of understanding within-river process for modelling these determinands. The non-conservative behaviour identified is related to biological controls and the resultant diurnal variations in pH which promote daytime removal of Ca from solution by precipitation of calcium carbonate (and corresponding removal of Mg by co-precipitation) during extreme low-flow conditions and algal blooms during the summer.

Effects of feeding dried grass pasture and a grain ration differing in rumen undegradable protein at two feeding frequencies on nutrient digestibility and microbial protein synthesis during continuous culture

Four continuous culture fermenters were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the effects of grain feeding frequency and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on nutrient utilization and microbial protein synthesis with high quality grass. Two grain rations fed two or four times per day were arranged in a 2×2 factorial with four replications. The grain rations contained 60% and 45% of CP as RUP, and similar total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) content (64% of DM). Grain was fed separately from freeze dried, pelleted pasture (56% of DM). Fermenters were maintained at a liquid dilution rate of 12%/h and a solids retention time of 20 h. Regardless of RUP level or grain feeding frequency, true DM, OM, and CP digestibilities averaged 72.1%, 73.3%, and 61.8%, respectively with no differences due to treatments. Apparent digestibility of ADF, NDF, and TNC were also not affected by treatments, and averaged 55.9%, 46.2%, and 80.9%, respectively. The production of the major VFA (acetic, propionic, and butyric) were not affected by treatment and averaged 56.4, 21.2 and 16.3 Mmol/ml, respectively. The interaction of grain feeding frequency and dietary RUP content was significant for isovalerate production. Increasing the grain feeding frequency significantly increased valerate production. Ammonia N (NH 3–N) concentration and flows were decreased with higher RUP supplementation, and by feeding grain 4X/day ( P<0.05). Non NH 3–N flows were also higher with 4X/day grain feeding. Feeding a high RUP grain reduced the CP percentage in bacteria and tended to cause a reduction in rumen pH ( P>0.10). The interaction of time during the day when pH was measured and feeding frequency was significant ( P<0.001) reduced the diurnal variation in pH and when grain feeding frequency was measured to 4X/day.

Comparison of saliva stimulation methods for noninvasive therapeutic drug monitoring by using saliva samples.

To find out an appropriate therapeutic drug monitoring method by using saliva, we investigated the effect of four kinds of saliva stimulation methods on salivary pH, flow rate and composition in normal male subjects.Each of methods showed significantly different pH, flow rate and compositions (total protein, K+and creatinine levels).It was observed that the simplest method (i.e. to move mouth and tongue) had the smallest inter-individual variation of pH and relatively small inter-individual variations of total protein and Na+levels.In addition, this method showed no diurnal variations of pH, flow rate and compositions (total protein, Na+and K+levels). The present results suggest that to move mouth and tongue for salivation may be the simplest and most suitable stimulation method for therapeutic drug monitoring by using saliva samples. Furthermore, this method was found to be well applicable to a pilot study on the saliva to serum concentration ratio of mexiletine hydrochloride after the oral administration in normal subject.

Natural variance in pH As a complication in detecting acidification of lakes

Natural variance in the pH of three dilute lakes in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, Colorado, complicates the detection of acidification. Variations in pH during July–September of 1983 were: 0.95 (Ned Wilson Lake), 1.36 (Upper Island Lake), and 1.53 (Oyster Lake). Mean diurnal variations in pH during 1983 were: 0.37 (Ned Wilson Lake), 0.54 (Upper Island Lake), and 0.39 (Oyster Lake). Replicate pH measurements indicate that pH can be measured with a mean variance due to measurement error of ± 0.005. Regression analysis indicates that samples collected on the same day of different years may differ because of time of day and percentage of cloud cover. Differences in wind duration and intensity and primary productivity also may cause the pH to differ between years. Such differences can be either random or systematic. Comparisons of pH among 3 yr of data from Ned Wilson Lake indicate that natural variations in pH are much larger than variations in Colorado Lakes previously attributed to acidification by precipitation.

The Effects of Bird Droppings on Chemical and Biological Dynamics in Brackish Water Rockpools

In the Baltic, some brackish water rockpools, heavily polluted by bird droppings, were investigated in order to study some of the general patterns of biochemical cycling of the nutrients. The seasonal variations of the following parameters were studied: salinity, temperature, rainfall, pH, algal biomass, detrital content, NH4-N, N02-N, N03-N, P04-P, suspended and soluble organic nitrogen and phosphorus. The diurnal variations of pH, P04-P and oxygen were measured. The faunal composition is discussed. The bird feces provided nutrients well beyond the needs of the algal biomass throughout the vegetation period. High concentrations of phosphate were always found, and this resulted in extremely low N/P ratios reflecting the chemical composition of the bird feces. Ammonia was always the dominating inorganic nitrogen compound and only during the period of maximum algal growth in the spring were considerable amounts of nitrate found. A possible inhibition of the nitrification processes resulting in an accumulation of ammonia is discussed. The high concentrations of ammonia might have a toxic effect on the algae, especially at the prevailing high pH-values. Most of the algal biomass was decomposed in the beginning of July. The diurnal variation of inorganic phosphate was found to be very large even in the absence of algae. This is mainly attributed to the activity of both autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. The difficulties in relating these fluctuations to productivity measurements are discussed. The nutritive value of the detrital layer, which consists mostly of fecal pellets, is discussed. Pe3IoMe