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Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 8876

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Slobodan B. Mickovski

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Guest Editor

Built Environment Asset Management Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Interests: nature-based solutions; ecological engineering; geoenvironmental engineering; environmental civil engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Olavo F. Santos Jr.

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Centre of Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte-UFRN, Natal, Brazil
Interests: geotechnical engineering; coastal erosion; natural hazards; landslide; slope stability

Dr. Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri

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Guest Editor

Built Environment Asset Management Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Interests: ecosystem services; environmental protection; hydro-meteorological risk management; GIS; machine learning; co-design and co-deployment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jovan Br. Papić

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Interests: geoenvironmental engineering; landslides; restoration; green infrastructure; soil erosion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental protection is usually defined as the practice of protecting the natural environment and is done by individuals, groups and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to repair damage and reverse detrimental trends. In the past few decades, ecological engineering has proved to be a powerful tool for environmental protection. Ecological engineering is known to combine ecology and engineering to predict, design, construct or restore, and manage ecosystems which integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both. In this respect, this Special Issue aims to bring together science, engineering and socio-economics related to ecological engineering employed for environmental protection. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed to address the sustainability challenges which lie at the core and define the scope of this journal.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Nature-based solutions for environmental protection.
Green infrastructure.
Soil and water bioengineering techniques for environmental protection.
Efficiency of ecological engineering measures.
Life-cycle analysis of environmental protection measures.
Building Information Modeling for environmental protection.
Geo-environmental engineering.
Environmental science.
Socio-economic analysis of environmental protection.
Co-design and co-creation of environmental protection measures.
Geo-hydrological ecoengineering design.
Design for resilience.
Use of vegetation for environmental protection.
Aesthetics drivers for environmental protection.
Mitigation of hydro-meteo hazards.
Geotechnical engineering.
Bio-stabilization and bio-reinforcement of soils.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Slobodan B. Mickovski
Prof. Dr. Olavo F. Santos Jr.
Dr. Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri
Dr. Jovan Br. Papic
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. Sustainability 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

environmental protection
sustainability
ecological engineering
green infrastructure
nature-based solutions
resilience

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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15 pages, 13064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Regime Characteristics of Alpine Springs in the Marginal Periglacial Environment of the Southern Carpathians

by Oana Berzescu, Florina Ardelean, Petru Urdea, Andrei Ioniță and Alexandru Onaca

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094182 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 261

Abstract

Mountain watersheds play a crucial role in sustaining freshwater resources, yet they are highly vulnerable to climate change. In this study, we investigated the summer water temperature of 35 alpine springs in the highest part of the Retezat Mountains, Southern Carpathians, between 2020 and 2023. During the four-year monitoring period, water temperatures across all springs ranged from 1.2 °C to 10.5 °C. Springs emerging from rock glaciers had the lowest average temperature (2.37 °C), while those on cirque and valley floors were the warmest (6.20 °C), followed closely by springs from meadow-covered slopes (6.20 °C) and those from scree and talus slopes (4.70 °C). However, only four springs recorded summer temperatures below 2 °C, suggesting a direct interaction with ground ice. The majority of springs exhibited temperatures between 2 and 4 °C, exceeding conventional thresholds for permafrost presence. This challenges the applicability of traditional thermal indicators in marginal periglacial environments, where reduced ground ice content within rock glaciers and talus slopes can lead to spring water temperatures ranging from 2 °C to 4 °C during summer. Additionally, cold springs emerging from rock glaciers displayed minimal daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, highlighting their thermal stability and decoupling from atmospheric conditions. These findings underscore the critical role of rock glaciers in maintaining alpine spring temperatures and acting as refugia for cold-adapted organisms. As climate change accelerates permafrost degradation, these ecosystems face increasing threats, with potential consequences for biodiversity and hydrological stability. This study emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring and expanded investigations into water chemistry and discharge dynamics to improve our understanding of high-altitude hydrological systems. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights for the sustainable management of water resources in Retezat National Park, advocating for conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on mountain hydrology and biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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31 pages, 3248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of Seawater and Sediments Along the Romanian Black Sea Coast: Spatial Distribution and Environmental Implications

by Elena Ristea, Oana Cristina Pârvulescu, Vasile Lavric and Andra Oros

Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2586; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062586 - 14 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 948

Abstract

This study assesses the spatial distribution and contamination levels of some heavy metals (HMs), i.e., cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb), in seawater and surface sediments along the Romanian Black Sea coast (RBSC). Sampling was conducted at 40 stations across 12 transects during May–June 2021, and the measured levels of HM concentrations were compared with Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), i.e., maximum allowable concentration (MAC) values, for seawater and effects range-low (ERL) thresholds for sediments. HM concentrations were measured using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). In seawater, the levels of Cd, Cu, and Pb concentrations exceeded the MAC values at three stations located in areas influenced by the Danube River or anthropogenic activities. In sediments, exceedances of ERL thresholds were found for Ni at 11 stations, for Cu at three stations, and for Pb at one station. HM contamination of sediment samples collected from these stations can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic sources, e.g., the Danube River, rock/soil weathering and erosion, agricultural runoff, port and construction activities, maritime and road transport, coastal tourism, petrochemical industry, wastewater discharges, offshore oil and gas extraction. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided valuable information about the relationships between relevant variables, including water depth and HM concentrations in seawater and sediments, and potential sources of contamination. The results highlight the influence of fluvial inputs and localized human activities on HM contamination. While the overall chemical status of Romanian Black Sea waters and sediments remains favorable, targeted management strategies are needed to address localized pollution hotspots and mitigate potential ecological risks. These findings provide valuable insights for environmental monitoring and sustainable coastal management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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22 pages, 19874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tracing Anthropogenic and Environmental Impacts on River Water Quality: Sustainable Perspective on Contrasting Environments

by Eyad Abushandi

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2008; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052008 - 26 Feb 2025

Viewed by 808

Abstract

This paper represents a comparative study of two rivers, namely, the Andarax River, Spain, and the River Liffey, Ireland, considering different climatic conditions and human activities and their influences on most water quality parameters. Water samples collected from different sampling sites along each river were analysed for field parameters such as the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrates, phosphates, and potassium (NPK) levels of floodplain soil. Spatial changes were assessed using various geostatistical methods such as the Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression (MLR), and water quality index (WQI). The Andarax River had a higher TDS and was turbidly higher with EC due to agricultural activities and the naturally higher evaporation in the semiarid climate. In contrast, DO levels varied widely in the River Liffey, especially in reaches under the influence of urbanisation and agricultural runoff. The artificial surface and agriculture are the strongest negative determinants of water quality in both rivers, with artificial surfaces contributing about 35.72% to the DO variation. The WQI identified the water quality in the Andarax River as poor to very poor in certain locations, while the River Liffey exhibited a good to medium quality overall, although with localised degradation in areas of high human activity. The results of this study are important for developing targeted remedial measures in diversified climate conditions and a customised water sustainability plan to address the challenges of each area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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22 pages, 6433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effects of Rainwater Infiltration on Slope Instability Mechanisms

by Bruna Silveira Lira, Olavo Francisco dos Santos Junior, Osvaldo de Freitas Neto and Maria Natália de Melo Sousa

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9530; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219530 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Mass movements can be caused by factors from different categories, such as geological factors and climate change. From a geological point of view, the soil profile and the geotechnical properties of the materials are crucial in influencing slope instability. From a climate change perspective, rainfall intensity is one of the main triggers of mass movements. Studies related to rainfall infiltration focus on saturated slope zones; therefore, areas of slope stability with infiltration in the unsaturated zone present large gaps. The Brazilian government environmental diagnostics company, the Mineral Resources Research Company (CPRM), identified the municipality of Areia/PB as a danger zone. The region has landslides that occur mostly during the rainy season. Such events lead to the presumption that rainwater infiltration is responsible for the failure of the municipality’s slopes. Thus, the studies proposed in this research aim to determine the influence of precipitation on the stability of the slopes present in the region. The results show that antecedent precipitation has a greater influence on stability, indicating that daily precipitation alone cannot be used as a determinant for landslides. It was concluded that the role of precipitation in slope stability will vary for different locations, with varying surface conditions, variable tropical rainfall, or different microclimatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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24 pages, 4149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Analysis of Nanostructured Anodes for Electro-Oxidative Wastewater Treatment

by Tanja P. Brdarić, Danka D. Aćimović, Branislava G. Savić Rosić, Marija D. Simić, Katarina D. Stojanović, Zdravko M. Vranješ and Dragana Vasić Anićijević

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3982; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103982 - 10 May 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1859

Abstract

Last decade, a growing emphasis on developing sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies for electro-oxidative wastewater treatment has catalyzed innovation and spurred research efforts worldwide. Researchers may explore the use of renewable energy sources to drive electrochemical processes, as well as the development of eco-friendly electrode materials for wastewater treatments. The integration of nanostructured anodes into the electrolytic system for wastewater treatment has led to significant advancements in the removal of pollutants via electro-oxidation. Despite the great number of research articles related to the development and use of nanostructured anodes for electro-oxidative wastewater treatment, to our knowledge, no bibliometric analysis has been published in this domain. Therefore, this work presents a bibliometric study of publications on the designated theme, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, which were published over the last decade. The visual and network analysis of co-authorship among authors, organizations, countries, co-citation of authors, citation of documents and sources, as well as the co-occurrence of author keywords was performed using two compatible pieces of scientometric software, namely VOSviewer (version 1.6.18) and CiteSpace (version 6.2.R4). From 2013 to 2023, there has been a gradual increase in the number of publications regarding the development and use of nanostructured anodes for electro-oxidative wastewater treatment. It suggests a steady advancement in this field. The People’s Republic of China emerges as the most productive country, and it is a leader in international collaborations. Also, the United States of America, South Korea, and European Union countries have significant impacts on the research in this domain. The development and application of nanostructured materials for urea electro-oxidation is a main and prospective research theme. This bibliometric analysis allowed for the visualization of the present landscape and upcoming trends in this research field, thereby facilitating future collaborative research endeavors and knowledge exchange. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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15 pages, 3391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on the Durability of a Polypropylene Geotextile under Artificial Aging Scenarios

by Philipp Scholz, Jana Falkenhagen, Volker Wachtendorf, Robert Brüll and Franz-Georg Simon

Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3559; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093559 - 24 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2110

Abstract

Geosynthetics are widely used in various civil engineering applications, such as geotextiles in coastal protection, and display a sustainable alternative to natural mineral materials. However, the full benefits of using geosynthetics can only be gained with a long service lifetime of the products. With the use of added stabilizers to the polymers, service lifetimes can be achieved in the range of 100 years. Therefore, accelerated aging methods are needed for the assessment of the long-term performance of geotextiles. In the present study, the behavior of geosynthetic materials made of polypropylene was investigated under artificial aging conditions involving elevated temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C, increased oxygen pressures ranging from 10 to 50 bar in water-filled autoclaves, and UV irradiation under atmospheric conditions. ATR-IR spectroscopy was employed to detect the increase in the carbonyl index over various aging durations, indicating the oxidative degradation of the geotextile. The most pronounced increase was observed in the case of aging through UV irradiation, followed by thermal aging. Elevated pressure, on the other hand, had a lower impact on oxidation. High-temperature size exclusion chromatography was utilized to follow the reduction in molar mass under different degradation conditions, and the results were consistent with those obtained from ATR-IR spectroscopy. In polyolefins such as polypropylene, Hindered Amine Stabilizers (HAS) are used to suppress oxidation caused by UV radiation. The quantitative analysis of HAS was carried out using a UV/Vis method and HPLC. The degradation of UV stabilizers during the aging of geotextiles is responsible for the oxidation and the reduction in the molar mass of polypropylene. From the results, it can be concluded that applications of PP geotextile without soil or sand cover might cause the risk of the formation of microplastic particles. Material selection, design, and maintenance of the construction must follow best practices, including the system’s removal or replacement at end-of-life. Otherwise, a sustainable use of geotextiles in civil engineering is not possible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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17 pages, 1718 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Balancing Development and Sustainability: Lessons from Roadbuilding in Mountainous Asia

by Roy C. Sidle and Alan D. Ziegler

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073156 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Managing land-use activities sustainably in mountainous regions requires addressing the interconnected impacts of geophysical, socioeconomic, cultural, and geopolitical stressors. This complexity is exemplified in roadbuilding across highland Asia, where insufficient planning, incomplete environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and governance gaps often result in lasting “toeprints”—subtle yet significant unintended consequences. Drawing on specific case studies within Yunnan, China; Central Asia’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); and the Kedarnath Disaster in India, this perspective highlights the risks of rapid infrastructure development without holistic, long-term planning and explores the underlying issues of these problems. While mountain roads enhance connectivity, mobility, and short-term economic prosperity, they frequently impose environmental and social costs that offset their intended benefits. Poorly designed roads in the mountains of northwest Yunnan and Central Asia have triggered landslides, sedimentation, habitat fragmentation, and disruptions to local livelihoods and cultural practices. In contrast, road improvements to the remote Kedarnath Temple in the Himalaya led to the overcrowding of religious pilgrims who were killed and stranded during a major flood and sediment disaster in 2013. These case studies emphasize the need for transdisciplinary research, community engagement, and regulatory frameworks that integrate disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainability for the benefit of all stakeholders. By aligning infrastructure projects with robust planning frameworks, development practitioners and policymakers can better balance economic, environmental, and social priorities, minimizing unintended impacts while fostering resilient and equitable outcomes in fragile mountain landscapes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Protection and Sustainable Ecological Engineering)

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