A model of producer incentives for livestock disease management

We examine the management of livestock diseases from the producers‘ perspective, incorporating information and incentive asymmetries between producers and regulators. Using a stochastic dynamic model, we examine responses to different policy options including indemnity payments, subsidies to report at-risk animals, monitoring, and regulatory approaches to decreasing infection risks when perverse incentives and multiple policies interact. This conceptual analysis illustrates the importance of designing efficient combinations of regulatory and incentive-based policies.

Synthetic coprecipitates of exopolysaccharides and ferrihydrite. Part II: Siderophore-promoted dissolution

Ferrihydrite (Fh) coprecipitated with exopolymers of plants and microbes may differ in its geochemical reactivity from its abiotic counterpart. We synthesized Fh in the presence and absence of acid polysaccharides (polygalacturonic acid (PGA), alginate, xanthan) and characterized the physical and structural properties of the precipitates formed [Mikutta C., Mikutta R., Bonneville S., Wagner F., Voegelin A., Christl I. and Kretzschmar R. (2008) Synthetic coprecipitates of exopolysaccharides and ferrihydrite. Part I: Characterization. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta]. In this paper, we focus on the reactivity of PGA and alginate coprecipitates and pure Fh, and studied their interaction with the microbial siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB) in the presence and absence of low molecular weight organic (LMWO) acid anions (malate, citrate). Batch adsorption and dissolution experiments were performed in the dark at pH 7 in 10 mM NaClO₄ background electrolyte. In the dissolution experiments, different modes of ligand addition were applied (single, simultaneous, stepwise). With an estimated Langmuir sorption maximum of 15 mmol/mol Fe, a PGA coprecipitate with 11% C_org sorbed about four times as much DFOB as pure Fh, and the amount of DFOB sorbed was ∼4-fold larger than estimated from the sum of DFOB sorption to pure Fh and PGA alone. The apparent initial dissolution rates, R_app-initial, and pseudo-first order rate coefficients, k, of the coprecipitates exceeded those of pure Fh by up to two orders of magnitude. Citrate and malate exerted a strong synergistic effect on the DFOB-promoted dissolution of pure Fh, whereas synergistic effects of both anions were absent or negligible for the coprecipitates. R_app-initial of the citrate and DFOB-promoted dissolution of PGA coprecipitates increased with increasing molar C/Fe ratio of the coprecipitates, independent of the charge of the LMWO ligand. Our results indicate that polyuronates stabilize Fh particles sterically and /or electrostatically, thus increasing the mineral surface area accessible to LMWO ligands. In contrast, pure Fh was coagulated at pH 7 (pH_iep of Fh = 7.1), and hence only a small fraction of the Fh surface underwent dissolution. The increase in ligand-accessible surface area of Fh upon coprecipitation with acid polysaccharides seems to primarily control the kinetics of the ligand-promoted dissolution at neutral pH. In pH environments where the solubility of Fe(III) is very low, dissolution rates of Fe(III) (hydr)oxides in such coprecipitates may therefore exceed those of pure minerals by several orders of magnitude, despite a similar crystallinity of the minerals.     

Spatial and Temporal Ion Dynamics on a Complex Hydrological System: The Lower Luján River (Buenos Aires,Argentina)

The interplay of the geochemistry of the lower stretch of the Luján River is analyzed with its natural geomorphology (basin features), local hydrometeorology (tidal regime and “sudestada” events) and the impact of polluted tributaries. Major ions, dissolved heavy metals and limnological variables were analyzed using multivariate techniques. The water quality of the mainstream of the Luján River, flowing through urbanized and industrialized areas is strongly and positively influenced by the input of the Paraná River through deltaic watercourses and is negatively impacted after receiving the discharge from polluted watercourses. The longitudinal spatial variations evidenced major discontinuities in the Lower Luján Basin, showing clearly the riverine and the deltaic water influenced zones. Seasonal variations were also marked and were either temperature driven or associated with the estuarine cycle and the “sudestada”.     

Calcium isotopes in a proglacial weathering environment: Damma glacier, Switzerland

The biogeochemical cycling and isotopic fractionation of calcium during the initial stages of weathering were investigated in an alpine soil chronosequence (Damma glacier, Switzerland). This site has a homogeneous silicate lithology and minimal biological impacts due to sparse vegetation cover. Calcium isotopic compositions, obtained by TIMS using a ⁴³Ca-⁴⁶Ca double spike, were measured in the main Ca pools. During this very early stage of weathering, the young soils which have formed (δ^44/42Ca=+0.44‰) were indistinguishable to the rocks from which they were derived (δ^44/42Ca=+0.44‰) and stream water (δ^44/42Ca=+0.48‰) was also within error of the average rock. This lack of variation indicates that the dissolution of the bulk silicate rock does not strongly fractionate Ca isotopes. The only Ca pool which was strongly fractionated from bulk rock was vegetation, which exhibited an enrichment of light Ca isotopes. Significant Ca isotope fractionation between bulk rock and the dissolved flux of Ca is likely to only occur where the Ca biogeochemical cycle is dominated by secondary processes such as biological cycling, adsorption and secondary mineral precipitation.     

Chloride and Boron behavior in fluids of Los Humeros geothermal field (Mexico): A model based on the existence of deep acid brine

Geothermal field Los Humeros, Mexico, is characterized by a high steam fraction in the well fluids, by extremely high B concentrations in separated water (grams per liter, with a magmatic B signature, δ¹¹B ± 2σ = −0.8 ± 1.6‰), by the absence of correlation between B and Cl concentrations and by positive correlation between B content in separated water and fluid enthalpy. Such behavior is consistent with the existence of moderately acid brine (pH 3–5) at depth with a high B concentration (500–600 mg/kg). In this case a 3-level model can be suggested for Los Humeros: (1) immature, moderately acid brine at depth which is boiling at a temperature ∼350 °C producing the HCl-bearing vapor with a high B content; (2) partial condensation of this vapor at the upper level accompanying water–rock interaction and neutralization; (3) formation of a shallow water-dominated aquifer above a lithologic low-permeability boundary as has been proposed by other authors. A thermochemical computer code has been used to model boiling of an aqueous fluid at 350 °C with 0.1 M of NaCl, 0.05 M of H₃BO₃ and variable amount of HCl (0.001–0.1 M), then a partial condensation of the produced vapor at 250 °C and then separation of the steam–water mixture at 150 °C. Results of simulation are in a qualitative agreement with the observed data.     

Bioenergy in energy transformation and climate management

This study explores the importance of bioenergy to potential future energy transformation and climate change management. Using a large inter-model comparison of 15 models, we comprehensively characterize and analyze future dependence on, and the value of, bioenergy in achieving potential long-run climate objectives. Model scenarios project, by 2050, bioenergy growth of 1 to 10 % per annum reaching 1 to 35 % of global primary energy, and by 2100, bioenergy becoming 10 to 50 % of global primary energy. Non-OECD regions are projected to be the dominant suppliers of biomass, as well as consumers, with up to 35 % of regional electricity from biopower by 2050, and up to 70 % of regional liquid fuels from biofuels by 2050. Bioenergy is found to be valuable to many models with significant implications for mitigation and macroeconomic costs of climate policies. The availability of bioenergy, in particular biomass with carbon dioxide capture and storage (BECCS), notably affects the cost-effective global emissions trajectory for climate management by accommodating prolonged near-term use of fossil fuels, but with potential implications for climate outcomes. Finally, we find that models cost-effectively trade-off land carbon and nitrous oxide emissions for the long-run climate change management benefits of bioenergy. The results suggest opportunities, but also imply challenges. Overall, further evaluation of the viability of large-scale global bioenergy is merited.     

Metal concentration and structural changes in Corallina elongata (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from hydrothermal vents

Shallow-water hydrothermal activity is widely present at Azores archipelago. Organisms in such environments present great potential as sentinels of the effects derived from chronically exposure to increased temperature, metal concentrations and reduced pH. This study aimed to evaluate metal concentration in Corallina elongata collected at locations exposed and not exposed to shallow-water hydrothermal activity and evaluate changes in its calcareous structure. Elemental concentration was determined and morphometric analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy. Thicker cell walls and a bleached appearance were observed on C. elongata specimens from the hydrothermally active location, as well as increased concentrations of elements associated to volcanic activity.This study reports on metal accumulation and morphometric changes in the calcareous structure of C. elongata from a hydrothermally active location, adding new data for further research on such habitats and communities, providing an insight on how coralline algae might be affected by ocean acidification.