Pareto-Improving Supply Subsidy in a Simple General Oligopoly Equilibrium Model with Pollution Permits

We introduce a competitive pollution permit market in a two-sector oligopoly equilibrium model. In this model, one commodity is inelastically supplied by one competitive trader and another one is produced by a finite set of oligopolists, using the first commodity as an input. The production of the second commodity is a polluting activity. We study both the competitive and oligopoly equilibria. We provide some conditions under which a supply subsidy given to the oligopolists that is financed by a tax on the competitive agent is Pareto-improving.

     

Removal of PFOS, PFOA and other perfluoroalkyl acids at water reclamation plants in South East Queensland Australia

This paper examines the fate of perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs) and carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in two water reclamation plants in Australia. Both facilities take treated water directly from WWTPs and treat it further to produce high quality recycled water. The first plant utilizes adsorption and filtration methods alongside ozonation, whilst the second uses membrane processes and advanced oxidation to produce purified recycled water. At both facilities perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most frequently detected PFCs. Concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in influent (WWTP effluent) ranged up to 3.7 and 16 ng L⁻¹ respectively, and were reduced to 0.7 and 12 ng L⁻¹ in the finished water of the ozonation plant. Throughout this facility, concentrations of most of the detected perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) remained relatively unchanged with each successive treatment step. PFOS was an exception to this, with some removal following coagulation and dissolved air flotation/sand filtration (DAFF). At the second plant, influent concentrations of PFOS and PFOA ranged up to 39 and 29 ng L⁻¹. All PFCs present were removed from the finished water by reverse osmosis (RO) to concentrations below detection and reporting limits (0.4-1.5 ng L⁻¹). At both plants the observed concentrations were in the low parts per trillion range, well below provisional health based drinking water guidelines suggested for PFOS and PFOA.     

Monitoring and factors affecting levels of airborne and water bromoform in chlorinated seawater swimming pools

Water and air quality of eight seawater swimming pools using chlorine disinfection was measured during four sampling campaigns, spread on one full-year, and in four thalassotherapy centers located in Southeast of France. Concentrations of trihalomethanes(THMs) in air and in water as well as concentrations of parameters, including nonpurgeable organic carbon(NPOC), free residual chlorine(Cl_f), pH, Kjeldhal Nitrogen(KN), salinity,conductivity, bromide ions and, water and air temperature, were measured. Water and air samples were collected in triplicates morning — at the opening of the pools —, noon and night — at the closing of the pools —, in summer and winter. Data analysis was performed by Principal Component Analysis(PCA) and rotated component matrix, from both data quality and other parameters such as TOC, aromaticity(UV_(254)), pH, hygrometry, and free residual chlorine(Cl_f). This statistical analysis demonstrates a high correlation between TOC, Cl_fand UV_(254) and THM levels found in air and water, particularly for the major ones(CHBr_3in water:300.0 μg/L mean, 1029.0 μg/L maximum; CHBr_3 in air: 266.1 μg/m~3 mean,1600.0 μg/m~3 maximum, and CHClBr_2 in water: 18.9 μg/L mean, 81.0 μg/L maximum;CHClBr_2 in air: 13.6 μg/m~3 mean, 150.0 μg/m~3maximum). These high levels of bromoform(CHBr_3) are particularly worrisome in such health institutions, even these levels do not exceed the Permissible Exposure Limit(PEL) of 5 mg/m~3 as an 8 hour time-weighted average currently fixed by various administrations, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA).     

Solomon versus selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aims to compare the perinatal outcome of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) pregnancies undergoing selective versus vascular equator (Solomon) fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP). We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Web of Science from inception up to 25 July 2021. Studies comparing the Solomon and selective techniques of FLP for treatment of TTTS pregnancies were eligible. Random-effects or fixed-effect models were used to pool standardized mean differences (SMD) and log odds ratio. Seven studies with a total of 1664 TTTS pregnancies (n = 671 undergoing Solomon and n = 993 selective techniques) were included. As compared to the selective FLP, Solomon was associated with a lower risk of recurrent TTTS compared to the selective technique (Log odds ratio [OR]: −1.167; 95% credible interval [CrI]: −2.01, −0.33; p = 0.021; I²: 67%). In addition, Solomon was significantly associated with a higher risk of placental abruption than the selective technique (Log [OR]: 1.44; 95% CrI: 0.45, 2.47; p = 0.012; I²: 0.0%). Furthermore, a trend for the higher risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes was observed among those undergoing Solomon (Log [OR]: 0.581; 95% CrI: −0.43, 1.49; p = 0.131; I²: 17%). As compared to selective FLP, the Solomon technique for TTTS pregnancies is associated with a significantly lower recurrence of TTTS; however, it significantly increases the risk of placental abruption.     

A review of the main methods for composite adsorbents characterization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Adsorption is a promising technology for removing several contaminants from aqueous matrices. In the last years, researchers worldwide have been...