Varves form only in fresh or brackish water, because the high levels of salt in normal sea water coagulate the clay into coarse grains. Since the saline waters leave coarse particles all year, it is nearly impossible to distinguish the individual layers in salt waters.
An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. AST is normally found in red blood cells, liver, heart, muscle tissue, pancreas, and kidneys. AST formerly was called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or liver is diseased or damaged, additional AST is released into the bloodstream. The amount of AST in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage.
People with low levels of hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (HCT) in their blood will often suffer from a condition called anemia. If the Hgb levels should fall to the low side, there will not be enough oxygen throughout the body or in the organs. This can cause difficulties in how efficiently the body runs itself.iguring out hematocrit levels in the blood is done through Mean Corpuscular Volume or MCV and Red Cell Distribution Width or RDW. These tests determine whether someone is suffering from low Hgb and/or low HCT levels in their blood and can help doctors determine a cause.