Feral burro populations: Distribution and damage assessment

This report was prepared to document (1) regional use of the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, CA, by burros, (2)influence of available water sources for burro use, (3) burro-related damage at several NTC sensitive habitat areas, and (4) management recommendations. All work described in this report was conducted in 1996 and 1997. Roadside transects were conducted and mapped using Geographical Positioning Systems/Geographical Information Systems (GPS/GIS) to indirectly measure relative abundance of feral burros (scat per mile) and to examine the spatial relationship of burro use to permanent or semi-permanent water sources that exist on the NTC. The authors also surveyed several permanent springs for burro-related damage and mapped the impact areas using GPS/GIS to quantify the extent of damage and to provide guidance on size and extent of burro exclosures in those areas. Photographs of the spring sites were also archived and permanent photo points were established for long-term monitoring of feral burro damage areas. In addition, aquatic invertebrate data collected during another spring site study were summarized and discussed in relation to burro-related impacts on the NTC`s sensitive habitats. Several water-quality parameters were also obtained from each spring, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and total dissolved solids

Uranium concentrations in asparagus

Concentrations of uranium were determined in asparagus collected from eight locations near and ten locations on the Hanford Site southcentral Washington State. Only one location (Sagemoor) had samples with elevated concentrations. The presence of elevated uranium in asparagus at Sagemoor may be explained by the elevated levels in irrigation water. These levels of uranium are comparable to levels previously reported upstream and downstream of the 300-FF-1 Operable Unit on the Hanford Site (0.0008 {mu}g/g), but were below the 0.020-{mu}g/g level reported for brush collected at Sagemoor in a 1982 study. Concentrations at all other onsite and offsite sample locations were considerably lower than concentrations reported immediately upstream and downstream of the 300-FF-1 Operable Unit. Using an earlier analysis of the uranium concentrations in asparagus collected from the Hanford Site constitutes a very small fraction of the US Department of Energy effective dose equivalent limit of 100 mrem

Population Characteristics and Seasonal Movement Patterns of the Rattlesnake Hills Elk Herd - Status Report 2000

Population characteristics of the Rattlesnake Hills elk herd indicate reduced herd growth rates from the 1980s compared to the 1990s (McCorquodale 1988; Eberhardt 1996). However, the population continued to grow approximately 25% annually through the 1990s, reaching a high of 838 animals in summer 1999. Calf recruitment rates appear to be cyclic and are likely related to reduced calf survival during the first weeks of life; however, late-term abortions may also have occurred. The cause(s) could be predator-related and/or a function of shifts in nutritional condition (age-class distributions, assuming older-age cows are less likely to recruit calves, major climate shifts) or changes in the human-related disturbances during gestation, and/or calf rearing periods. In fall 1999 and spring 2000, the population was reduced from 838 individuals to 660 individuals. The primary controlling factors were modified hunting seasons on private and state lands and the large-scale roundup conducted in spring 2000. Continued removal of animals (particularly females) within the population will be pivotal to maintain the population at a level that minimizes land damage complaints, animal-vehicle collisions, use of central Hanford areas, and deterioration of natural resources

Lead in wine: a case study on two varieties at two wineries in South Australia

Sources of lead in wine were inferred from systematic assay of grapes must and wine, during winemaking. Two Australian wineries were monitored during the 1994 vintage with respect to vinification of Riesling and Shiraz. Juice and wine samples were collected at several process stages from crushing through to bottling, and were analysed for their total lead concentration by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Selected samples were subsequently analysed for lead isotope ratio (fingerprinting method) to infer possible sources of lead in samples. Lead concentration in fermenting must was found to vary during vinification. In particular, lead concentration increased significantly in open-top vessels, in holding bins and during pressing. Juice and wine stored in concrete or waxed wood also had a significantly higher concentration of lead compared to juice or wine stored in stainless steel. Moreover, fining with bentonite or filtering with diatomaceous earth contributed further to final lead concentration, while fermentation, both primary and secondary, removed lead. Overall, wines processed via these different systems still contained only traces of lead, and generally less than 30 μg/L (30 micrograms per litre). These trace levels are of no concern to human health when such wines are consumed in moderation.Stockley, Creina S.; Smith, Lester H.; Tiller, The Late Kevin G.; Gulson, Brian L.; Osborn, Chester D' A.; Lee, Terry H