The Occurrence and Distribution of Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in the Coast

Dear Colleagues,

The global rise in human activities has led to a substantial influx of persistent and emerging organic contaminants (PEOCs) into coastal ecosystems, creating complex challenges for environmental sustainability, human health, and marine biodiversity. This Special Issue seeks to deepen our understanding of the occurrence, distribution, sources, and ecological impacts of these contaminants in coastal environments. It will cover a wide range of pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

We invite the submission of interdisciplinary research that uses advanced analytical techniques, modeling methods, and field studies to investigate the spatial and temporal spread of these contaminants. This Special Issue will also focus on the processes of bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, and the long-term ecological risks of PEOCs across various coastal habitats, from estuaries and mangroves to sandy shores and coral reefs.

Submissions that address regulatory challenges, risk assessment frameworks, and innovative remediation strategies are highly encouraged. Additionally, this Special Issue will explore the effects of climate change on contaminant behavior, including the influence of rising sea levels, shifting ocean currents, and extreme weather events on the movement and fate of organic pollutants.

By fostering cutting-edge research and cross-disciplinary dialogue, this Special Issue aims to advance scientific knowledge and support policy-making efforts for the protection and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Sinagra
Dr. Anna Białk-Bielińska
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. Environments is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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.

• identification and quantification of persistent and emerging organic contaminants in coastal zones
• the source tracking, fate, and transport mechanisms of contaminants
• ecotoxicological effects on marine organisms and ecosystems
• bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in coastal food webs
• the impacts of climate change on contaminant distribution and behavior
• advances in monitoring technologies and analytical methods
• policy frameworks, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies