An inexact simulation-based stochastic optimization method for identifying effluent trading strategies of agricultural nonpoint sources

Agricultural nonpoint sources (NPS) pollution has long been regarded as the leading challenge in maintaining water quality of receiving water bodies. Effluent trading can serve as a cost-effective way to achieve optimal configuration of discharge permits in agricultural NPS pollution control. However, great difficulties exist in practical effluent trading planning, including uncertainties related to randomness and imprecision, system risk of …