Carbon leakage and capacity-based allocations: Is the EU right?

Competitiveness and carbon leakage are major concerns for the design of CO₂ emissions permits markets. In the absence of a global carbon tax and of border carbon adjustments, output-based allocation is a third-best solution and is actually implemented (Australia, California, New Zealand). The EU has followed a different route; free allowances are allocated to existing or new capacities in proportion to a benchmark, independent of actual production. This paper compares these two schemes in a formal setting and shows that the optimal one is in fact a combination of both schemes, or output-based allocation alone if uncertainty is limited. A key assumption of our analysis is that the short-term import pressure depends both on the existing capacities and the level of demand, which is typical in capital intensive and internationally traded sectors. A calibration of the model is used to discuss the EU scheme for the cement sector in the third phase of the EU-ETS (2013–2020). This allows for a quantification of various policies in terms of welfare, investment, production, company profits, public revenues and leakage.     

Effect of citric acid and EDTA on chromium and nickel uptake and translocation by Datura innoxia

EDTA and citric acid were tested to solubilize metals and enhance their uptake by Datura innoxia, chosen because of its ability to accumulate and tolerate metals. Two application modes were used on an industrial soil contaminated mainly by Cr and Ni. The results showed that citric acid was the most effective at increasing the uptake of Cr and EDTA for Ni. These results are consistent with the effectiveness of both chelants in solubilizing metals from the soil. The translocation factor (TF) of Ni was 1.6- and 6.7-fold higher than the control, respectively, for one and two applications of 1mmolkg(-1) EDTA. After two applications of 5 and 10mmolkg(-1) citric acid, the TF of Cr increased 2- and 3.5-fold relative to the control. Whatever the concentration, the application of EDTA modified the plant physiology significantly. For citric acid this was only observed with the highest dose (10mmolkg(-1)).     

Exposure assessment of French women and their newborns to tetrabromobisphenol-A: occurrence measurements in maternal adipose tissue, serum, breast milk and cord serum

A French monitoring study was initiated to evaluate the exposure of fetus and newborn to brominated flame retardants (BFR). A previously developed multi-residue analytical method was used for measuring the main classes of BFR (tetrabromobisphenol-A, and tri- to decabomodiphenyl ethers) in various human biological matrices. Analyzed samples (maternal and cord serum, adipose tissue and breast milk) were collected from 93 volunteer women during caesarean deliveries. TBBPA was detected in 44% of the analyzed breast milk samples, at levels varying from 0.06 to 37.34 ng g(-1) lipid weight, but was not detected in adipose tissue. This compound was also detected in 30% of the analyzed serum samples, with similar average values in maternal and cord serum (154 pg g(-1) fresh weight versus 199 pg g(-1) fresh weight, respectively). The interpretation of the collected data permitted the demonstration of (1) a significant exposure to TBBPA both for mothers and fetuses and (2) a possible risk of overexposure of newborns through breastfeeding.     

Effects of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on chicken germ cells cultured in vitro

In recent decades, many toxicological tests based on in vivo or in vitro models, mainly from mammalian (rat–mouse) and fish species, were used to assess the risks raised by contact or ingestion of molecules of pharmaceutical, agricultural, or natural origin. But no, or few, in vitro tests using other non-mammalian models such as bird have been explored despite their advantages: the embryonic gonads of birds have a high plasticity of development sensitive to estrogen, and sperm production is nearly two times faster than in rodents. Hence, we have established an in vitro culture of germ cells and somatic cells from chicken post-natal testis, and we have evaluated the sensitivity against the endocrine disruptor compound mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) in comparison to previous studies using rodent and human models. After 96 h of exposure in presence of 10 μM MEHP, chicken seminiferous tubules cultures present a structural alteration, a reduction in cell proliferation and in germ cells population. Apoptosis of germ and somatic cells increases in presence of 1 μM MEHP. Furthermore, MEHP does not affect inhibin B and lactate production by Sertoli cells. These results are in accordance with previous studies using rat, mice, or human culture of testicular cells and in similar range of exposures or even better sensitivity for some “end-points” (biological parameters). In conclusion, the establishment of this postnatal testicular cells culture could be considered as an alternative method to in vivo experiments frequently used for evaluating the impact on the terrestrial wildlife species. This method could be also complementary to mammal model due to the limiting number of animals used and its elevated sensitivity.     

Multiplex biotoxin surface plasmon resonance method for marine biotoxins in algal and seawater samples

A multiplex surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor method for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, okadaic acid (and analogues) and domoic acid was developed. This method was compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Seawater samples (n?=?256) from around Europe were collected by the consortia of an EU project MIcroarrays for the Detection of Toxic Algae (MIDTAL) and evaluated using each method. A simple sample preparation procedure was developed which involved lysing and releasing the toxins from the algal cells with glass beads followed by centrifugation and filtering the extract before testing for marine biotoxins by both multi-SPR and ELISA. Method detection limits based on IC₂₀ values for PSP, okadaic acid and domoic acid toxins were 0.82, 0.36 and 1.66 ng/ml, respectively, for the prototype multiplex SPR biosensor. Evaluation by SPR for seawater samples has shown that 47, 59 and 61 % of total seawater samples tested positive (result greater than the IC₂₀) for PSP, okadaic acid (and analogues) and domoic acid toxins, respectively. Toxic samples were received mainly from Spain and Ireland. This work has demonstrated the potential of multiplex analysis for marine biotoxins in algal and seawater samples with results available for 24 samples within a 7 h period for three groups of key marine biotoxins. Multiplex immunological methods could therefore be used as early warning monitoring tools for a variety of marine biotoxins in seawater samples.     

A multiresidue method for the analysis of phenols and nitrophenols in the atmosphere

A method using GC-MS and derivatization with N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) was developed for the analysis of 20 phenolic compounds in atmospheric samples (gas and particles). Air sampling was carried out using a Hi-Vol sampler with glass fibre filter and XAD-2 resin at a flow rate of 60 m(3) h(-1). The particle and gas phases were collected separately over a period of 4 h. Samples were Soxhlet extracted, evaporated to dryness under nitrogen and refilled with acetonitrile. 100 microl of these extracts were derivatized with 100 microl of MTBSTFA at 80 degrees C for 1 h under strong stirring. Phenolic compounds were injected into a GC-MS in splitless mode and quantified as their TBDMS derivatives in the SIM mode. Mass spectral analysis of the derivatives of the 20 compounds studied indicates that the spectra are highly specific showing an ion at [M - 57]+ which is useful for structure confirmation or analysis at low levels using selected ion monitoring. Quantification limits varied between 5 microg l(-1) and 10 microg l(-1) which correspond to 20 pg m(-3) and 40 pg m(-3) for 250 m(3) of air sampled. This method was successfully applied to atmospheric samples.     

Radiostrontium-90 (90Sr) Ultra-Traces Measurements by Coupling Ionic Chromatography (HPIC) and on Line Liquid Scintillation Counting (OLLSC)

The important role of the beta emitter Strontium-90 in our environmental has been studied since the nuclear age. This long half-life isotope (28.1 years) is produced in a relatively high yield (5.8 % from Uranium-235) during the fission of heavy elements. It has been reported to be the major artificial source of internal irradiation of the human body. Its valence shell electron configuration is the same as Calcium and so this isotope is easily fixed in the bones. The classical analysis of this particular isotope requires several weeks since it produces Yttrium-90 which is also a beta emitter. We developed a new trace analysis method by coupling High Performance Ionic Chromatography (HPIC), to separate Strontium-90 from natural or power plant reactor water, and on-line liquid scintillation counting detector, measuring the beta emission of low concentration Strontium-90 before Yttrium-90 is formed in a significant amount. We report here some analysis parameters : HPIC setup, scintillation cocktail, window, counting efficiency, linearity, pre-concentration and detection limits. We were able to determine very low concentrations of Strontium-90. The minimum concentration detected without a pre-concentration system was 0.5 ppt from a 200 µL sample (6.3×10-12 mole/L). The analysis only requires a few hours.