sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Advanced Studies of Pollutants in Water, Air, and Soil: Assessment and Remediation

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Pollution Prevention, Mitigation and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 December 2025 | Viewed by 761

Special Issue Editor

School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 10083, China
Interests: soil remediation; solid waste resource utilization; polluted site management and policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We aim to publish cutting-edge research that addresses soil degradation, groundwater resource management, pollution prevention, and remediation strategies. This Special Issue encourages interdisciplinary studies that integrate geochemistry, hydrology, microbiology, and environmental policy to develop innovative solutions for soil and groundwater conservation. We prioritize work that contributes to the sustainable use of these resources, ensuring the protection of both natural ecosystems and human health. By fostering a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between soil and water, our Special Issue seeks to inform and guide policy, management practices, and technological advancements that promote environmental resilience and the long-term viability of our planet's critical resources. We are particularly interested in studies that explore the nexus of soil and water in the context of climate change, urbanization, and agricultural intensification, as these factors significantly influence the health and integrity of our soil and groundwater systems. Through a commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry and a forward-looking approach, our Special Issue aims to be a leading voice in the global discourse on environmental sustainability and the stewardship of our soil and groundwater resources. Additionally, we strive to provide a platform for dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange ideas and experiences, thereby enhancing collaborative efforts towards sustainable environmental management. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a global shift towards more responsible and effective stewardship of our soil and groundwater resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Dr. Yan Ma
Guest Editor

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

  • soil health
  • environmental sustainability
  • soil degradation
  • resource management
  • pollution prevention
  • remediation strategies

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 4446 KiB  
Article
Characteristic Chemical Profile of Particulate Matter (PM2.5)—A Comparative Study Between Two Periods, Case Study in Medellín, Colombia
by Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa, Miriam Gómez-Marín, Kelly Viviana Patiño-López, David Aguiar and Santiago A. Franco
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5380; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125380 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Medellín, a densely populated city in the Colombian Andes, faces significant health and environmental risks due to poor air quality. This is linked to the atmospheric dynamics of the valley in which it is located (Aburrá Valley). The region is characterized by a [...] Read more.
Medellín, a densely populated city in the Colombian Andes, faces significant health and environmental risks due to poor air quality. This is linked to the atmospheric dynamics of the valley in which it is located (Aburrá Valley). The region is characterized by a narrow valley and one of the most polluted areas in South America. This is a comparative study of the chemical composition of PM2.5 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 µm) in Medellín between two periods (2014–2015 and 2018–2019) in which temporal trends and emission sources were evaluated. PM2.5 samples were collected from urban, suburban, and rural stations following standardized protocols and compositional analyses of metals (ICP-MS), ions (ion chromatography), and carbonaceous species (organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) by thermo-optical methods) were performed. The results show a reduction in average PM2.5 concentrations for the two periods (from 26.74 µg/m3 to 20.10 µg/m3 in urban areas), although levels are still above WHO guidelines. Urban stations showed higher PM2.5 levels, with predominance of carbonaceous aerosols (Total Carbon—TC = OC + EC = 35–50% of PM2.5 mass) and secondary ions (sulfate > nitrate, 13–14% of PM2.5 mass). Rural areas showed lower PM2.5 concentrations but elevated OC/EC ratios, suggesting the influence of biomass burning as a major emission source. Metals were found to occupy fractions of less than 10% of the PM2.5 mass; however, they included important toxic species associated with respiratory and cardiovascular risks. This study highlights progress in reducing PM2.5 levels in the region, which has been impacted by local policies but emphasizes current and future challenges related mainly to secondary aerosol formation and carbonaceous aerosol emissions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop