Contaminants and Ecological Subsidies


Book Description

This volume explores the effects of aquatic contaminants on ecological subsidies and food web exposure at the boundary of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It provides the first synthesis of the findings and principles governing the “dark side” of contaminant effects on ecological subsidies. Furthermore, the volume provides extensive coverage of the tools being developed to help managers and researchers better understand the implications of contaminants movement and their effects on natural resources and ecosystem processes. Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are linked through movements of energy and nutrients which subsidize recipient food webs. As a result, contaminants that concentrate in aquatic systems because of the effects of gravity on water and organic matter have the potential to impact both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem processes. Within the last decade, increased attention has been paid to this phenomenon, particularly the effects of aquatic contaminants on resource and contaminant export to terrestrial consumers, and the potential implications for management. This volume, curated and edited by three field leaders, incorporates empirical results, management applications and theoretical synthesis and is a key reference for academics, government researchers and consultants.




Defending the Public Domain


Book Description

In recent decades, industry has come under criticism for failing to cover the environmental costs of doing business. When companies are allowed to pollute, or to use natural resources without paying their full price, they are in effect appropriating natural capital -- land, air, & water -- without compensation to society at large. Economists have paid a good deal of attention to the inefficiencies that result when companies pass on, or ¿externalize,¿ production costs in the form of environmental damage. But few have looked at the broader effects of externalities on public welfare, particularly on the distr. of wealth. This research suggests that externalities are an important force behind economic inequality & poverty in the U.S. Charts & tables.




The Subsidy Scandal


Book Description

Originally published in 2002, The Subsidy Scandal examines the subsidies spent by governments and the affect this has had on the environment. The book examines industries ranging from agriculture to mining, energy to transport and the subsidies spent on these industries by government. The book argues that these industries have had a negative impact on the environment, often funded through government subsidies derived from public taxes. The book suggests that these subsidies go to those who least need them – frequently to corporations and special interest groups which recycle some of the funds to support the politicians who keep the subsidies going. Based on research in North America, with examples from Europe and elsewhere, the book provides an investigative report into to the money assigned to environmental policies to find out where the money goes and what produces it.




Water Quality for Ecosystem and Human Health


Book Description

This document is intended to provide an overview of the major components of surface and ground water quality and how these relate to ecosystem and human health. Local, regional and global assessments of water quality monitoring data are used to illustrate key features of aquatic environments, and to demonstrate how human activities on the landscape can influence water quality in both positive and negative ways. Clear and concise background knowledge on water quality can serve to support other water assessments.




Micro/Nanoplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Fate, Toxicology and Management


Book Description

Micro(nano)plastics in the Aquatic Environment: Fate, Toxicology, and Management Volume 11 explores a wide breadth of chapters, reflecting the experiences of groups of researchers from different countries on essential aspects of the context of plastic pollution. The book provides insights in chapters relating to plastic pollution in the aquatic ecosystems, the behavior of MNPs in the aquatic environment and influencing factors, characteristics of MNPs in the water environment, ecology and MPs, metals and MPs, biofilms and MPs, MNPs pollution in the global mangrove ecosystem, ecotoxicity MPs in amphibian, fishes and snails, and MPs in mariculture.




Defending the Public Domain


Book Description

When firms externalize environmental costs, they appropriate de facto property rights to public natural assets - land, air, and water - without compensation to society at large. In effect, this bestows a large public subsidy on corporations. This paper compares the extent of public subsidies in pollution, energy, and taxes across the 50 U.S. states, and finds that states with higher subsidies generally have worse environmental quality and poorer economic performance. These subsidies both reflect and reinforce unequal distributions of political power.




Clean Coastal Waters


Book Description

Environmental problems in coastal ecosystems can sometimes be attributed to excess nutrients flowing from upstream watersheds into estuarine settings. This nutrient over-enrichment can result in toxic algal blooms, shellfish poisoning, coral reef destruction, and other harmful outcomes. All U.S. coasts show signs of nutrient over-enrichment, and scientists predict worsening problems in the years ahead. Clean Coastal Waters explains technical aspects of nutrient over-enrichment and proposes both immediate local action by coastal managers and a longer-term national strategy incorporating policy design, classification of affected sites, law and regulation, coordination, and communication. Highlighting the Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone," the Pfiesteria outbreak in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, and other cases, the book explains how nutrients work in the environment, why nitrogen is important, how enrichment turns into over-enrichment, and why some environments are especially susceptible. Economic as well as ecological impacts are examined. In addressing abatement strategies, the committee discusses the importance of monitoring sites, developing useful models of over-enrichment, and setting water quality goals. The book also reviews voluntary programs, mandatory controls, tax incentives, and other policy options for reducing the flow of nutrients from agricultural operations and other sources.




Water, Electricity, and the Poor


Book Description

This book reviews the prevalence and variants of consumer subsidies found in the developing world and the effectiveness of these subsidies for the poor. It places consumer subsidies in a broader social protection framework and compares them with poverty-focused programmes in other sectors using a common metric. It concludes that the most common subsidy instruments perform poorly in comparison with most other transfer mechanisms. Alternative consumption and connection subsidy mechanisms show more promise, especially when combined with complementary non-price approaches to making utility services accessible and affordable to poor households. The many factors contributing to those outcomes are dissected, identifying those that can be controlled and used to improve performance.




Perverse Subsidies


Book Description

Outlines hundreds of examples of perverse subsidies that are granted at the expense of the environment. Addresses the implications of perverse subsidies in six leading sectors and shows how these subsidies undercut economies and environments alike.




Green and Sustainable Pharmacy


Book Description

Within recent years pharmaceuticals have come into focus as contaminants of the environment (see for example Kümmerer, K. editor: Pharmaceuticals in the Environment). At the same time the issue of sustainable chemistry gained momentum. Bringing both together would result in sustainable pharmacy. Sustainable pharmacy is a totally new issue and approach. It addresses environmental, economical and social aspects of pharmacy. In the present stage the focus will be on environmental issues along the whole lifecycle of a pharmaceutical entity. That is dealing with resources and energy input but also with waste issues for example during the synthesis and production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Furthermore, it would also look on the compounds themselves and will aim to improve the degradability of the compounds after their use in the environment to reduce the environmental risk caused by pharmaceuticals in the environment. Another issue is the people using pharmaceuticals such as pharmacists, medical doctors and patients. How can they contribute to more efficient use of pharmaceuticals with less environmental burden and less risk for drinking water. The book "Sustainable Pharmacy" will address all these issues and will be the first one dealing with this important topic.