Chloride Ion Levels Research Articles

EFFECTS OF TRANSPORT AND ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENTATION ON ION CONCENTRATIONS, CARCASS YIELD AND QUALITY IN BULLS

Two experiments were completed to: (1) identify predictive acid-base and electrolyte parameters that might be correlated with meat quality in marketed bulls; and (2) to determine whether bulls could be treated with either glucose or electrolyte drinks while in lairage to improve electrolyte balance and meat quality. In the first experiment, 29 crossbred yearling bulls averaging 499 ± 13.4 kg were exposed to either a minimal stress of no mixing and 3 km transport (N = 13) or a moderate stress of mixing, 6 h transport 24 h off feed in lairage, plus an additional 3 km transport immediately prior to slaughter (N = 16). Animals exposed to moderate stress displayed higher serum chloride values (137 mmol L−1) compared to pre treatment control (121 mmol L−1) or minimal stress values (118 mmol L−1) (P ≤ 0.01). The moderate stress group also displayed lower blood hydrogen ion concentrations (P < 0.05) and produced a high frequency of dark, firm and dry meat (9 out of 16 animals compared to 0 out of 13 in the control group). In the second experiment, 79 crossbred yearling bulls averaging 595 ± 6.5 kg were divided into treatment groups of either 19 or 20 animals each and subjected to mixing, handling and a 6-h transport period after which they were left in lairage for 18–20 h before slaughter. Treatment groups were: (1) no water during lairage; (2) water only; (3) electrolyte drink; or (4) a 5% glucose drink. Animals in exp. 2 given either water or no water displayed significantly higher serum sodium (P ≤ 0.01) and chloride ion (P ≤ 0.02) levels compared to animals offered an electrolyte or glucose drink. It was also found that the urine cation levels of animals offered no water or water only were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05). In all animals, improved electrolyte balance coincided with improved meat quality traits and carcass yield. Key words: Electrolyte balance, transport stress, bulls, carcass quality

Chloride Ion Distribution in Twenty-Year-Old Prestressed Bridge Girders

The distribution of chloride ions was determined for three prestressed concrete bridge girders that had been exposed to deicing salts over a period of 20 years. The amount of chlorides in the deck slab was also investigated. The level of chlorides in the bridge girders at the depth of prestressing strands did not generally exceed 120 ppm by weight of concrete, which is less than the threshold level to initiate corrosion (250 to 510 ppm). There were no visible signs of corrosion evidient on the strands that were subsequently removed from the girders. Samples obtained from the bridge deck contained chloride ion levels on the order of 1000 to 2000 ppm by weight of concrete at the depth of the reinforcement.

Secretion by the mandibular gland of the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) during isoprenaline infusion.

Intracarotid infusion of isoprenaline, either alone or in combination with acetylcholine infusion was used to stimulate salivation by the mandibular glands of anaesthetized red kangaroos. Isoprenaline alone (0.20-1.25 eta mol.kg-1.min-1) elicited flow rates ranging from 0.014 to 0.239 ml.min-1 (1.21-28.1 microliters.g gland-1.min-1). Salivary concentrations of sodium, chloride, phosphate and urea were negatively correlated with flow, whereas potassium, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen ion, bi-carbonate, protein, and osmolality were poorly correlated with flow. Relative to cholinergic saliva produced at equivalent flow rates, isoprenaline-evoked saliva had higher osmolality, saliva/plasma urea ratios and concentrations of protein, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and phosphate, but lower sodium, chloride and hydrogen ion levels. At a steady salivary flow (0.5 ml.min-1), superim-position of isoprenaline infusion (0.15 eta mol.kg-1.min-1) on a pre-existing acetylcholine infusion reduced the rate of acetylcholine administration necessary to maintain flow, increased osmolality and the concentrations of protein, urea, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and phosphate and decreased sodium, chloride and hydrogen ion in the saliva. Salivary amylase activity was low and highly variable and the amylase activity/protein ratio fell substantially during isoprenaline stimulation. These results support the conclusion that the enzyme is of extrinsic origin. The response of the kangaroo mandibular gland to isoprenaline stimulation was very similar to that reported for rat mandibular gland, suggesting that the same ion transport phenomena underlie mandibular secretion in both species and probably in therian mammals generally.

The combined effect of chlorides and sulphates present in water and aggregates on properties of concrete

The combined effect of sulphates present in aggregates and high levels of chloride ions in the mixing water on some properties of concrete was studied. Different amounts of sulphates in sand (0.38, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0% SO3) with chloride contents in water (50, 750, 1000, 3000 and 6000 p.p.m. as Cl−) were used. The compressive strength was lower for concrete with higher sulphate contents at early ages. Small additions of sodium chloride to the mixing water decreased the compressive strength of concrete, particularly those with a low sulphate content.

Long-term effects of bleached kraft mill effluents on red and white blood cell status, ion balance, and vertebral structure in fish

In a laboratory investigation fourhorn sculpin ( Myoxocephalus quadricornis) were exposed for 5–9 months to wastewater from pine and birch lines from a bleached kraft pulp plant. This long-term exposure to bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) affected the hematology, the ion balance, and the vertebral structure. Decreased values for hematocrit and hemoglobin and a reduced red blood cell count, as well as increased levels of methemoglobin, indicated disturbances in the red blood cell status. The white blood cell picture was not significantly affected by the BKME exposure. Decreased levels of potassium and chloride ions in the blood plasma in some of the exposed fish suggest an impaired ability to maintain ion homeostasis. Elevated frequencies of vertebral deformations in fish exposed to BKME confirm previous observations of vertebral damage in feral fourhorn sculpin caught in the receiving body of water of the same bleached kraft pulp industry. Many of the parameters analyzed in this investigation may be used as health indicators in future laboratory and field studies on fish exposed to BKME.

Coextraction of uranium and radium from ore with ferric chloride

Ferric chloride leaching, at temperatures around 74°C, is found to remove up to remove up to 97% of the uranium from ores occurring in the Elliot Lake area of Canada. Radium removal is poor due to the formation of sulphates from the sulphides present in the ore. However, if the sulphides are removed initially by flotation, then ferric chloride can extract as much as 92% of the radium, giving tailings which are sulphide-free and with radium levels approaching 24 pCi/g. The main steps in a ferric chloride leaching process have been tested at the bench scale. Radium may be removed by adsorption on manganese dioxide and uranium is removed by liquid extraction with D2EHPA (DAPEX process). The ferric chloride may be recirculated for further leaching and the net usage is expected to be in the order of 5 kg/Mg of solids treated. Because of the recycle, it is possible to keep chloride ion levels in the effluent below the prescribed level of 750 mg/L.

The effect of antimony, chloride ion, and glue on copper electrorefining

A study has been made to determine the effect of antimony, chloride ion, and glue on copper electrorefining. All deposits were made at a temperature of 65° C on a titanium cathode. Current densities of 398 A m−2 and 133 A m−2 were used. The deposits were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine morphology and crystal orientation. Atomic absorption (AA) and Auger spectroscopy (AES) were used to study the chemical composition of the deposits and a simple bend test was used to determine structural integrity. It was found that when the antimony concentration in the electrolyte exceeded 300 ppm, brittle deposits were produced containing considerable amounts of antimony. Very small amounts of chloride ion (1.5 ppm or above) decreased the codeposition of antimony greatly and produced ductile deposits. However, at a chloride ion level of 15 ppm or above, the back side of the deposit had a very rough, powdery appearance. The effect of glue was to counteract this and to produce a mirror-like finish on the deposit back.

A modified spectrophotometric method for nitrate in plants, soils and water by nitration of 3,4-dimethylphenol

A spectrophotometric method suitable for rapid and precise routine analysis of plant tissue, soils and water samples with a wide range of nitrate nitrogen values is described. Ethanol replaces the acetone sometimes used as solvent for the 3,4-dimethylphenol reagent, so that spectral interference caused by acetone is eliminated. The time required for complete nitration of the reagent is reduced from 25 min to that required for mixing of reactants. Chloride ion levels of up to 6.0% in plant tissue, 1940 μg g -1 and 970 μg ml -1 in soil and water, respectively, do not interfere. The probable reaction mechanism of acetone interference is discussed.

Blood and plasma parameters in growing pigs given high levels of Hyostrongylus rubidus larvae

Clinical signs of anorexia, vomiting and in some cases slight diarrhoea were observed in pigs infected with 250 000 or more Hyostrongylus rubidus larvae. No significant change in the levels of plasma chloride, potassium or sodium ions occurred during the course of infection. An extra-renal uraemia developed in pigs infected with 350 000 larvae which showed severe clinical signs of hyostrongylosis. Plasma pepsinogen levels were elevated in growing pigs infected with 60 000, 200 000 and 350 000 larvae. Two distinct peaks of plasma pepsinogen activity were observed which correspond, respectively, with the period following larval invasion of the gastric mucosa and the period during which the adult worms were migrating onto the stomach surface. At all infection levels the second peak of plasma pepsinogen activity just prior to patency was higher than the first. No anaemia resulted from single infections with 250 000 and 350 000 larvae. Plasma iron values were significantly lower 15, 23, 25 and 30 days after infection in pigs infected with 500 000 larvae. Small amounts of blood were detected in the faeces of pigs given high levels of H. rubidus larvae during the period following invasion of the gastric glands and during the period of adult worm emergence onto the mucosal surface.

Threshold levels of NaCl upholding solute-coupled water transport in the cecum of germfree and conventional rats.

It has been suggested that certain characteristics of germfree rodents, namely, cecal enlargement, semi–liquid contents of the lower bowel, and constant mild diarrhea (1) develop on the basis of abnormal composition of intestinal contents and on consecutive water–absorption inhibition. Thus, in cecal contents of germfree rats, the following have been observed in comparison to conventional controls: (a) marked concentration of muco–proteins (2–4), and (b) very low levels of bicarbonate and chloride ions (5–7). (c) The levels of cations, referring, mainly to sodium and potassium, were found unchanged or only slightly reduced (5–7). On feeding chloride–yielding resin to germfree rats, considerable improvement of water absorption could be obtained (8). In addition, (d) total osmotic pressure was found to be isotonic (9) and (e) colloid osmotic pressure pronouncedly hypertonic (10) in comparison to these values in blood plasma. It is well known that in conditions of isotonicity on either side of the intestinal membrane, solute transfer and water transfer are closely linked (11–14). Under such a condition, the absorption of water appears to be secondary to the inward pumping of solutes, mainly of sodium chloride. Below a certain critical level of sodium ion in the gut contents, this form of water absorption comes to a stop. Thus, it appears that the excess of macromolecular compounds in the germfree lower gut, originating from secretions and from mucosal desquamation, is responsible for binding cations and replacing diffusible anions, which in turn “starves” the mucosa in the process of solute coupled water absorption. In conventional animals, the intestinal microflora seems to be responsible for the degradation of these colloids. It was found that the lower bowel of germfree rats lacks certain mucinases, while such enzymes are present in intestinal contents of conventional controls (15).