Mastitis diagnostics and performance monitoring: a practical approach

In this paper a review is given of frequently used mastitis diagnostic methods in modern dairy practice. Methods used at the quarter, cow, herd and regional or national level are discussed, including their usability for performance monitoring in udder health. Future developments, such as systems in which milk-derived parameters are combined with modern analytical techniques, are discussed. It is concluded that, although much knowledge is available and science is still developing and much knowledge is available, it is not always fully exploited in practice

Colloidal Chemistry of Mineral Coagulants as Influenced by Organic Ligands

AbstractIn the present work, we examine the transformations of aggregated Al13 polycations interacting in suspension with low-molecular-weight organic acids at near neutral pH. The consequences of the interaction strongly depend on the complexing power and concentration of ligands. The most striking feature is the existence of two domains separated by a characteristic adsorbed ligand concentration, corresponding to charge neutralisation by ligands. In the lower concentration domain, ligands interact with the surface aluminum atoms by forming complexes, decreasing the surface charge. In this domain, no soluble aluminum is released from the aggregates. At higher concentration, ligands are adsorbed in excess by ligand exchange and hydrogen bonding, which results in charge reversal. Simultaneously, ligand promoted dissolution of the aggregates occurs, in the form of soluble complexes. It is assumed that dissolution originates from the initially neutral sites. In aquatic media, such radical insitu changes are able to strongly influence the transport and sedimentation of colloids and associated species.</jats:p

Reproducing an ecosystem to measure nanoparticle impact

International audienceno abstrac

Physico-chemical study of fouling mechanisms of ultrafiltration membrane on Biwa lake (Japan)

Many studies have been undertaken to understand the fouling of the ultrafiltration membranes in drinking water treatment. Physico-chemical fouling of membranes depends on characteristics of the raw water and membrane surface properties. In the case of Biwa lake, some chemical parameters as Si and Fe concentrations change with temperature (season) causing irreversible fouling. While some exist on the influence of the particle mineralogy on the fouling, little work has been developed to elucidate the relation between the physicochemical complexity of the cake and the fouling. Generally clays or oxides are known to lead to a reversible fouling. In this work, the interactions between a UF organic membrane with minerals leading to a hardly reversible fouling are studied. In the case of the :Biwa lake water, fouling of ultrafiltration membranes results from the formation of a Si-rich ferric gel directly deposited on the membrane surface and a secondary allophanic gel layer at a bigger distance. The deposit nature and the membrane/cake interactions were studied using infra-red, X-ray diffraction, Al and Si NMR and EXAFS technics. The effect of mineral particles, especially ferric oxides associated with silica, has been demonstrated. The formation of FeSi gel directly on the membrane surface is mainly responsible for the fouling. The change of these particles is less negative than the membrane surface. The structure of such a material is complex. The low permeability of the gel is at the prime origin of the fouling

Environmental Quality of Groundwater in Contaminated Areas—Challenges in Eastern Baltic Region

The lack of water in the future will force society to find more sophisticated solutions for treatment and improvement of groundwater wherever it comes from. Contamination of soil and groundwater is a legacy of modern society, prevention of contaminants spread and secondary water reuse options shall be considered. The aim of the book chapter is to give oversight view on problems and challenges linked to groundwater quality in Eastern Baltic region whilst through case studies explaining the practical problems with groundwater monitoring, remediation and overall environmental quality analysis. The reader will get introduced with case studies in industry levels as credibility of scientific fundamentals is higher when practical solutions are shown. Eastern Baltic countries experience cover contamination problems that are mainly of historic origin due to former Soviet military and industrial policy implementation through decades. Short summaries for each case study are given and main conclusions provided in form of recommendations at the very end of the chapter.</p