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Applied Sciences
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Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation
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Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 2316

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Carmen Rubio-Armendariz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Toxicology Department, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Interests: food toxicology; risk analysis; risk assessment; metals; potentially toxic element
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Flavio Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Research Program, Henrique Luís Roessler State Environmental Protection Foundation (FEPAM), Avenida Salvador França, 1707, Porto Alegre CEP 90690-000, RS, Brazil
Interests: toxicology and environmental health; coal waste; Ppesticides and biopesticides; drugs pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue in Applied Sciences focuses on the critical topic of heavy metal contamination, exploring its absorption and accumulation across various environmental and biological matrices. Given the pervasive presence of heavy metals in soils, water sources, and air, as well as in food and feed products, the assessment and control of heavy metal risks to human, animal, and environmental health are increasingly important.

This Special Issue emphasizes the relevance of risk analysis, structured through the key phases of risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. In the risk assessment phase, studies aim to generate comprehensive data on the presence, concentration, and potential hazards of metals in different matrices. This phase includes exposure assessment, toxicological evaluation, and ecological impact analysis. Risk management focuses on strategies and interventions to mitigate or prevent heavy metal contamination, offering practical approaches to reduce exposure and protect public health. Finally, risk communication addresses the dissemination of findings to stakeholders, including policymakers, health officials, and the general public, to ensure informed decision-making and awareness.

The collection of studies in this Special Issue will provide valuable data and insights into the occurrence and distribution of heavy metals across diverse environments and organisms. These contributions not only enhance scientific understanding but also support evidence-based policymaking and risk mitigation strategies, advancing the safe management of heavy metal contamination in a variety of human and environmental contexts.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Carmen Rubio-Armendariz
Prof. Dr. Flavio Rodrigues
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • heavy metals
  • heavy metal contamination
  • heavy metal sources
  • heavy metal transfer
  • metal accumulation
  • heavy metal concentration
  • heavy metal toxicity
  • trace heavy metals
  • bioaccumulation
  • heavy metals in air, soil, water, and wild animals
  • heavy metals and the environment
  • heavy metals and human health
  • detoxification
  • removing heavy metals
  • heavy metal remediation
  • bioconcentration
  • phytoremediation
  • toxicological evaluation
  • exposure assessment
  • ecological impact
  • cadmium
  • arsenic
  • mercury
  • lead
  • copper
  • zinc

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5624 KB  
Article
Multi-Scale Feature Analysis Method for Soil Heavy Metal Based on Two-Dimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition: An Example of Arsenic
by Maowei Yang, Lin Ge, Chaofeng Yao, Jinjie Zhu, Wenqiang Wang, Qingwei Ma, Chang-En Guo, Qiangqiang Sun and Shiwei Dong
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9078; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169078 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 248
Abstract
The spatial distribution of soil heavy metals was influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, and the multi-scale characteristics of heavy metals played a key role in analyzing their influencing factors. Taking arsenic (As) of an oil refining site in Shandong as an [...] Read more.
The spatial distribution of soil heavy metals was influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, and the multi-scale characteristics of heavy metals played a key role in analyzing their influencing factors. Taking arsenic (As) of an oil refining site in Shandong as an example, the As was firstly decomposed into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) at different scales and a residual using two-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Secondly, the spatial variation scales of As, the IMFs, and the residual were quantified by their semi-variograms, respectively. Finally, local spatial correlation analysis and random forest model were employed to analyze the multi-scale features of As, the IMFs, the residual, and environmental variables. The results indicated that the As was decomposed into IMF1, IMF2, IMF3, and a residual using the two-dimensional EMD method, and the corresponding spatial ranges were 72.60 m, 159.30 m, 448.00 m, and 592.36 m, respectively. IMF3 had the highest percentage of variance with a value of 57.56%, indicating that the spatial variation of As was mainly concentrated on a large scale. There were correlations between As and aspect and land use type. However, after the scale decomposition of two-dimensional EMD, there were significant correlations between oil residue thickness and IMF1, land use type and IMF3, land use type, and aspect and residual, respectively. The IMFs and residual had a significant scale–location dependence on environment variables, and the impact of anthropogenic factors on As was mainly reflected at the small and medium scales, while the influence of natural factors was mainly reflected at the large scale. The developed method can provide a methodological framework for the spatial analysis and pollution control of soil heavy metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation)
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16 pages, 899 KB  
Article
High Cadmium and Mercury Soil Contamination Outweighs the Effect of Soil Amendments When Growing Miscanthus x giganteus
by Željka Zgorelec, Lana Zubčić, Silva Žužul, Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić, Marija Trkmić, Marija Galić, Iva Hrelja, Ana Špehar Ćosić, Aleksandra Perčin and Nikola Bilandžija
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9075; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169075 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 264
Abstract
This three-year study evaluated the effects of various soil amendments on growth parameters and heavy metal (HM) accumulation in above- and belowground biomass of Miscanthus x giganteus (MxG), assessing its phytoremediation potential. A randomised complete block design included four treatments: I—control, II—sludge, III—mycorrhiza, [...] Read more.
This three-year study evaluated the effects of various soil amendments on growth parameters and heavy metal (HM) accumulation in above- and belowground biomass of Miscanthus x giganteus (MxG), assessing its phytoremediation potential. A randomised complete block design included four treatments: I—control, II—sludge, III—mycorrhiza, and IV—MxG ash. All experimental pots were filled with soil spiked with Cd (100 mg kg−1) and Hg (20 mg kg−1). Aboveground biomass yield ranged from 3.44 to 5.59 tDM ha−1, with Cd and Hg concentrations in biomass varying from 5.98 to 14.62 mg Cd kg−1 and 41.8 to 383.9 μg Hg kg−1, respectively. Belowground biomass mass ranged from 6.90 to 8.30 tDM ha−1, with Cd and Hg concentrations between 44.3 and 57.2 mg Cd kg−1 and 4.24 to 6.05 mg Hg kg−1, respectively. Enrichment coefficients (EC) in aboveground biomass ranged from 0.060 to 0.146 for Cd and 0.002 to 0.019 for Hg. Belowground biomass EC values ranged from 0.44 to 0.57 for Cd and 0.21 to 0.30 for Hg. The translocation factor (TF) varied from 0.104 to 0.145 for Cd and 0.008 to 0.024 for Hg. Our findings suggest that miscanthus is more effective for heavy metal phytostabilisation and biomass production in moderately contaminated soils than for phytoextraction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation)
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12 pages, 624 KB  
Article
Assessment of Essential Elements and Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Organic and Conventional Flaxseeds: Implications for Dietary Exposure and Food Safety
by Rodrigo de Lima Brum, Katarzyna Siedzik, Samuel Alejandro-Vega, Soraya Paz-Montelongo, Ángel J. Gutiérrez-Fernández, Dailos González-Weller, Arturo Hardisson, Malgorzata Misniakiewicz, Ewa Pyrzyńska, Flavio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva Júnior and Carmen Rubio
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7004; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137004 - 21 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is valued for its fibers and nutrient-rich seeds, which are increasingly consumed for their health benefits. However, flaxseeds can also accumulate potentially toxic elements (PTEs), raising concerns about safety. This study quantified 11 essential elements (e.g., Ca, Fe, [...] Read more.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is valued for its fibers and nutrient-rich seeds, which are increasingly consumed for their health benefits. However, flaxseeds can also accumulate potentially toxic elements (PTEs), raising concerns about safety. This study quantified 11 essential elements (e.g., Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn) and 9 PTEs (e.g., Al, Cd, Pb, and Ni) in commercial flaxseed samples using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. Two intake scenarios (15 g/day and 30 g/day) were analyzed to estimate dietary exposure, with health risks assessed through the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). The results showed that organic flaxseeds had higher levels of certain elements (e.g., Cu, K, and Pb), while Al and Ni were more abundant in conventional samples. Cadmium levels in both remained below the EU regulatory limit. The highest estimated daily intakes were for K, Mg, and Ca, highlighting the seeds’ nutritional value. However, HI values suggested that Al and Pb could pose health risks. These findings emphasize flaxseeds’ dual nature as both beneficial and potentially harmful, particularly given the lack of specific regulatory limits and limited data on elemental composition. Continued monitoring and risk assessment are recommended to safeguard public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation)
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Review

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24 pages, 384 KB  
Review
Potential Metal Contamination in Foods of Animal Origin—Food Safety Aspects
by József Lehel, Dániel Pleva, Attila László Nagy, Miklós Süth and Tibor Kocsner
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8468; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158468 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 595
Abstract
This literature review provides an overview of the food safety and toxicological characteristics of various heavy metals and metalloids and the public health significance of their occurrence in food. Metals also occur as natural components of the environment, but they can enter food [...] Read more.
This literature review provides an overview of the food safety and toxicological characteristics of various heavy metals and metalloids and the public health significance of their occurrence in food. Metals also occur as natural components of the environment, but they can enter food of animal origin and the human body primarily due to anthropogenic (industrial, agricultural, transport-related) activities. The persistent heavy metals (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cd) found in the environment are not biodegradable, can accumulate, and can enter the bodies of higher animals and subsequently, humans, where they are metabolized into various compounds with differing toxicity. Thus, due to their environmental contamination, they can accumulate in living organisms and their presence in the food chain is of great concern for human health. Regulations of the European Community in force lay down maximum levels for a limited number of metals, and the types of regulated foodstuffs of animal origin are also narrower than in the past, e.g., wild game animals and eggs are not included. The regulation of game meat (including offal) deserves consideration, given that it is in close interaction with the environmental condition of a given area and serves as indicator of it. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Heavy Metal Contamination, Absorption and Accumulation)
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