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Environments
Special Issues
Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants
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Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants

A Special Issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298) belonging to the section "Environmental Monitoring and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026 | Viewed by 5292

Editors

Dr. Alma Mikuška

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Interests: ornithology; wetland ecology; conservation biology, biomonitoring
Dr. Mirna Velki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Interests: ecotoxicology; biomarkers; environment; pesticides; metals; agriculture; biofortification; earthworm; fish; birds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dora Bjedov

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Interests: ecotoxicology and environmental pollution; wildlife as bioindicators of ecosystem health; biomarkers and subcellular toxicity mechanisms; ornithology and conservation biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing presence of various pollutants in the environment has led to an increasing need to monitor their potentially harmful effects. Organic pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and many other pollutants pose a significant threat to ecological systems and, indirectly, to human health. These substances can accumulate in soil, water, air, and living organisms, often causing long-term and sometimes irreversible damage. To identify their harmful effects and prevent serious environmental consequences, it is essential to establish systematic and continuous monitoring of pollutants. Such monitoring enables timely detection of pollution, supports effective environmental management strategies, and contributes to the protection of biodiversity.

The focus of this Special Issue is on the detection of pollutants in the environment encompassing both the measurement of their concentrations in various environmental media (such as water, soil, and air) and their accumulation in living organisms. In addition to identifying the presence of these pollutants, special emphasis is placed on assessing their effects by monitoring biological responses and changes at different levels of biological organization. The scope of this Issue is intentionally broad, including studies conducted in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Both original research articles and comprehensive review papers are invited, with the aim of advancing our understanding of environmental pollution and its ecological consequences.

Dr. Alma Mikuška
Dr. Mirna Velki
Dr. Dora Bjedov
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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.

Keywords

  • environmental monitoring
  • organic pollutants
  • heavy metals
  • microplastics
  • pesticides
  • chemical analysis
  • biological response
  • ecological impact
  • bioaccumulation
  • aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2041 KB  
Article
Mycotoxin Contamination of Wild Plants in Agricultural Landscapes: Seasonal Dynamics and the Underestimated Role of Woody Species
by Máté Maurer, Adrián Antal, Dorottya Szám, Patrik Plank, László Szemethy, Zsuzsanna Szőke and Szilvia Stranczinger
Environments 2026, 13(7), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13070405 - 18 Jul 2026
Viewed by 509
Abstract
Mycotoxin research has traditionally focused on cultivated crops, whereas wild plants growing in semi-natural vegetation remain largely unexplored despite their possible ecological importance. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the occurrence, seasonal dynamics, organ-specific distribution, and growth-form differences of aflatoxin B1 [...] Read more.
Mycotoxin research has traditionally focused on cultivated crops, whereas wild plants growing in semi-natural vegetation remain largely unexplored despite their possible ecological importance. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the occurrence, seasonal dynamics, organ-specific distribution, and growth-form differences of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in wild plant species from agricultural areas of the Hungarian Plain. A total of 134 samples collected in July, August, and October were analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. All three mycotoxins were frequently detected, and only 13% of samples were free of the investigated toxins. Mycotoxin profiles changed seasonally, with multi-toxin co-occurrence predominating in July, ZEN in August, and DON in October, whereas AFB1 declined toward the end of the growing season. Growth form explained contamination patterns more strongly than plant organ: woody species showed higher AFB1 and DON contamination, whereas grasses showed higher ZEN concentrations. Although most concentrations were low, occasional extreme values approached or exceeded European Union reference values for animal feed. Our findings identify semi-natural vegetation, particularly woody species, as a previously underestimated reservoir of mycotoxins and demonstrate that seasonal dynamics and plant growth form should be considered when assessing environmental mycotoxin exposure in agricultural landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants)
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24 pages, 2946 KB  
Article
Complementary Responses of Soil Biological Quality Indices Based on Microarthropods (QBS-ar) and Earthworms (QBS-e) Under Contrasting Agroecosystem Management
by Marco Monticelli, Martina Coletta, Alessandro Mascaretti, Leonardo Salvatori, Aurora Torresi, Mario Marconi and Antonietta La Terza
Environments 2026, 13(6), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060316 - 4 Jun 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 983
Abstract
The need for reliable biological indicators to support soil biomonitoring is increasing, particularly in agricultural systems where management practices and environmental pressures interact to influence soil ecological integrity. Among soil fauna-based indicators that measure soil health, the Soil Biological Quality indices based on [...] Read more.
The need for reliable biological indicators to support soil biomonitoring is increasing, particularly in agricultural systems where management practices and environmental pressures interact to influence soil ecological integrity. Among soil fauna-based indicators that measure soil health, the Soil Biological Quality indices based on microarthropods (QBS-ar) and earthworms (QBS-e) provide functional measures of soil condition, however their combined application remains largely unexplored. In this study, for the first time both indices were applied simultaneously to assess soil biological quality in the same agroecosystem. The context was that of contrasting agricultural systems (strip cropping vs. pure stands) in a real-farm experimental set-up. Additional biological variables and soil physico-chemical parameters were also considered. Statistical analyses included Spearman correlations, linear mixed-effect models (LMMs), and redundancy analysis (RDA). QBS-ar and QBS-e showed contrasting responses to management systems, with higher QBS-ar values under strip cropping and higher QBS-e values in pure stands. No significant relationship was observed between the two indices. Multivariate analyses indicated that both indices were significantly influenced by management and environmental variables, although with different patterns of association. QBS-ar appeared more responsive to variation in topsoil conditions, whereas QBS-e was associated with broader soil properties and seasonal community dynamics. These results indicate that QBS-ar and QBS-e capture complementary aspects of soil biological quality and should not be used interchangeably. Their combined use improves the interpretation of soil biological responses to agricultural management and associated environmental pressures. Overall, this study highlights the potential of soil fauna-based indices as practical tools for biomonitoring in agroecosystems and supports further exploration on the comparative responses of biological indexes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants)
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22 pages, 2179 KB  
Article
Three Years Later: Landfill Proximity Alters Biomarker Dynamics in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Nestlings
by Dora Bjedov, Ivona Levak, Mirna Velki, Sabina Alić, Luka Jurinović, Biljana Ječmenica, Sandra Ečimović and Alma Mikuška
Environments 2026, 13(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13010034 - 3 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1542
Abstract
Landfills represent increasingly common anthropogenic habitats that provide food resources but also expose wildlife to complex chemical mixtures. White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) have recently expanded breeding near such sites, yet little is known about the physiological consequences of landfill dependence across [...] Read more.
Landfills represent increasingly common anthropogenic habitats that provide food resources but also expose wildlife to complex chemical mixtures. White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) have recently expanded breeding near such sites, yet little is known about the physiological consequences of landfill dependence across time. In 2025, we assessed biomarker responses in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings from the Jakuševec landfill (Zagreb, Croatia), a post-remediated site still in partial operation, three years after the initial studies conducted in 2021 and 2022. Activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were quantified in extracellular (plasma) and intracellular (post-mitochondrial S9) blood fractions. Neurotoxicity biomarkers (AChE, CES) showed small increases in 2022, followed by significant declines in 2025, indicating potential changes in exposure to neuroactive compounds. Oxidative-stress biomarkers displayed contrasting patterns: GST and GR decreased progressively, whereas ROS rose and GSH shifted in opposite directions between fractions, together suggesting rising oxidative challenge and altered redox balance. The combined biomarker response suggests continuing low-level exposure to neurotoxic and redox-active compounds despite landfill remediation. Our findings highlight that urban landfills, even in post-closure phases, remain physiologically active systems influencing wildlife health and should be incorporated into long-term ecotoxicological and conservation monitoring frameworks. While independent long-term monitoring shows that the Jakuševec White Stork colony has continued to grow over the past decade, the physiological responses detected in nestlings highlight the importance of assessing how chronic low-level exposure might influence population health in the long term. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants)
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Review

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30 pages, 1868 KB  
Review
Use of Moss Bags as Active Biomonitors for Ambient Air Quality—Practices, Variability, and the Current State of Knowledge: A Scoping Review and Call for Future Research
by Mimi Roy and Sriroop Chaudhuri
Environments 2026, 13(9), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13090477 - 27 Aug 2026
Viewed by 621
Abstract
Active biomonitoring using moss bags provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional sensor-based air quality networks, directly supporting multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 3, 7, 11, and 13. However, the reliability of moss bag outputs is frequently challenged due to the wide-ranging [...] Read more.
Active biomonitoring using moss bags provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional sensor-based air quality networks, directly supporting multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 3, 7, 11, and 13. However, the reliability of moss bag outputs is frequently challenged due to the wide-ranging variability in moss bag construction and exposure. To critically evaluate these disparities, this scoping review employed the PRISMA framework to synthesize 137 moss bag studies between 2005 and 2025 to assess the dominant moss bag parameter choices. The results revealed a ubiquitous lack of a “standardized operating protocol (SOP)” in almost every aspect of moss bag studies, which restricts the replicability of experiments. The preparatory stages revealed widespread “customization” of moss sampling methods; the use of water as the main moss cleaning–washing medium (~87% of the literature reviewed herein); drying at 105 °C (~80.7%); and a general preference for the Sphagnum species (74%). Regarding the constructional phases, preferences for cylindrical bag shapes (60% of the literature reviewed herein) and nylon mesh for the bag material (68%) were noted. However, the mesh aperture sizes (<1 to >10 mm2) and bag exposure duration (<4 to >10 weeks) exhibited ranges far too broad for cross-study replication. Less than 10% of the literature explicitly mentioned choices of moss packing density, bag elevation, irrigation, shading, and orientation. Reflections on the influences of environmental/meteorological variables on moss bag results were sparse. Less than 5.5% of the literature delved into any process-level discourses for parameter choices, while barely 2.8% of the literature attempted to establish SOPs for moss bags. Overall, this study highlights that much remains to be learned about the moss–pollutant interaction pathways, phytotoxicity, and chlorophyll damage, and that moss bag studies still need to be streamlined; they still lack clarity in their reporting of study designs/parameterization choices, which could collectively limit the future use of moss bags to support air quality policy and decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants)
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16 pages, 903 KB  
Review
Phthalates and Bisphenols as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Possible Determinants of Mood Disorders
by Mara Lastretti, Andrea Faa, Monica Piras, Angelica Dessì, Pasquale Paribello, Marco Piludu, Germano Orrù, Mirko Manchia, Gavino Faa and Vassilios Fanos
Environments 2026, 13(8), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080425 - 28 Jul 2026
Viewed by 515
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) accounts for a substantial share of global disability-adjusted life years and remains inadequately treated despite pharmacological advances. Growing evidence implicates endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—particularly phthalates and bisphenols—as environmental contributors to the onset of these conditions. This narrative review examines evidence [...] Read more.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) accounts for a substantial share of global disability-adjusted life years and remains inadequately treated despite pharmacological advances. Growing evidence implicates endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—particularly phthalates and bisphenols—as environmental contributors to the onset of these conditions. This narrative review examines evidence from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2000–March 2025) on the relationship between early-life exposure to these compounds and the development of mood disorders, with emphasis on molecular and neurobiological mechanisms. Phthalates such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and bisphenols such as bisphenol A (BPA), are detected ubiquitously in human urine, blood, placenta, and umbilical cord blood. Key mechanisms identified include Nrf2/HO-1-driven oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis, disruption of calcium signalling and synaptic plasticity via CREB phosphorylation deficits, epigenetic suppression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via promoter hypermethylation, NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β neuroinflammatory cascades, interference with thyroid hormone bioavailability through transthyretin competition, and PPAR-mediated disruption of brain lipid metabolism. Prenatal and early-life exposure has been associated with ADHD, cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorder, and elevated risk of depressive and anxiety phenotypes in epidemiological cohorts. Psychological vulnerability factors—perceived stress, deficient emotion regulation, and adverse childhood experiences—likely amplify this biological susceptibility through HPA axis sensitisation. Methodological limitations of current evidence, including reliance on single-spot urine samples and residual confounding, are critically appraised. Future research priorities include longitudinal biomonitoring cohorts, brain organoid mechanistic models, and integration of validated psychiatric assessments into environmental health study designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomonitoring of Environmental Pollutants)
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