Sedimentation rates and pollution history of a dried lake: Al-Oteibeh Lake.

Sediment accumulation rates as well as the distribution of selected elements in a dried Syrian lake (Al-Oteibeh Lake), near Damascus City, are reported. Five core samples from different locations of the lake were collected, and four major elements (Fe, K, Mg and Na) and six trace metals (Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, U and Cu) were analyzed. Sedimentation rates were determined applying the 210Pb dating method and found to vary between 0.

The impact of phosphate loading activities on near marine environment: the Syrian coast.

The impact of loading cargoes of phosphate ore into ships on the near marine environment at the Syrian coast has been evaluated. Results have shown a significant enhancement of 210Po, 210Pb and other natural radionuclides in sediment and surface water inside the port area. The highest 210Po and 210Pb concentrations observed in sediment were found to be 170 and 64 Bq kg(-1) respectively, while 210Pb and 210Po concentrations in surface water ranged from 5 to 20 mBq l(-1) and 0.

Development of testicular dimensions and size, and their relationship to age, body weight and parental size in growing Awassi ram lambs.

Ninety-six Awassi ram lambs, aged 2-3 months, raised and managed under a semi intensive system were used to measure development of testicular length, width, circumference and volume, and their association with development of body growth. The effects of parental size, age and body weight of lambs, production line (dairy or meat), type of birth and weight at birth and weaning on development of the four testicular parameters from weaning at 2-17 months of age were investigated. No significant differences were observed between measurements of the left and right testis.

Changes in biogas production due to different ratios of some animal and agricultural wastes.

The biogas production and some biochemical parameters of anaerobic fermentation at 30 degrees C for 40 days were studied for eight experimental groups of fermentation media, as affected by two factors: (1) the type of the animal waste (sheep waste, S and goat waste, G), and (2) the ratio of waste to olive cake which constitutes four levels (100:0 for S1 and G1; 80:20 for S2 and G2; 60:40 for S3 and G3 and 40:60 for S4 and G4). The results indicated that there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the biogas production with an increase in the proportion of olive cake in place of animal waste.

Sedimentation rates and pollution history of the eastern Mediterranean Sea: Syrian coast.

Sedimentation rates along the Syrian coast were determined by the 210Pb dating method to a total of nine cores taken in 1993; rates were found to vary between 0.11 and 0.87 cm year(-1).

Radon-222 and related activities in surface waters of the English Lake District.

Activities of radon-222 in selected surface waters of the English Lake District have been determined. Very wide variations were observed. The activity present in lakes and streams depends on the nature of the bedrock or sediment, the presence of faulting, the degree of turbulence, and the supply of fresh water from tributaries and ground waters.

Changes in contents and in vitro digestibility of laying-hens excreta used as feedstuffs due to drying and gamma irradiation.

Experiments have been carried out to study the changes in the values of total nitrogen (N), in vitro digestible crude protein (IVDCP), in vitro apparent organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in vitro digestible energy (IVDE), crude fibre (CF) and cell-wall constituents (NDF, ADF, ADL) for laying-hens excreta under the effects of: (1) two types of drying: (a) drying at 175 degrees C for 10 minutes (D1); (b) drying at 55 degrees C for 5 days (D2). (2) different doses of gamma irradiation [0, 10, 50, 100, 150 kilogray (kGy)]. The results indicated that there was a significant (P < 0.

Lead levels in roadside soils and vegetation of Damascus city.

This study concentrates on seasonal variations of lead levels in roadside soils, vegetables and plants of Damascus city. Lead concentrations in soil samples varied from 78.4 ppm to 832 ppm while mean lead levels in plants ranged from 2.

Application of Cerenkov radiation for the assay of 226Ra in natural water.

A Cerenkov based method has been developed for the determination of 226Ra via its beta-emitting daughters, 214Bi and 214Pb. Radium isotopes are separated from interfering elements by coprecipitation on barium sulphate. The precipitate is dissolved in an alkaline solution of EDTA and the Cerenkov signal produced by the build-up of daughter beta activities is counted after 25 days using the tritium channel of a liquid scintillation counter.

Absorption and endogenous excretion of phosphorus in growing broiler chicks, as influenced by calcium and phosphorus ratios in feed.

Absorption and endogenous excretion of P by male broiler chicks (14-29 d old) were quantitatively evaluated at different Ca:P ratios (1, 1:1; 2, 1.5:1; 3, 2:1; 4, 2.5:1) in four groups given experimental diets ad lib.