Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 9262

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2. Environmental Management, International Business College Mitrovica, 40000 Kosovo, Kosovo
Interests: heavy metals; soil; water and air pollution; pollution prevention; statistical and environmental modelling; materials; risk assessment; green transition and technology; environmental monitoring and controlling; circular economy

Prof. Dr. Lidija Ćurković

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Materials, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lucica 1, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: advanced ceramics; nanomaterials; corrosion mechanisms; wear mechanisms; mechanical characterization; sintering; microstructural characterization of ceramics; manufacturing; forming of ceramics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues，

Today, the contamination of lands and other natural habitats by heavy metals has become a severe hazard to the environment. Heavy metals are one of the most serious environmental pollutants that present complex, long-term environmental problems, particularly in areas with high anthropogenic pressure. These pollutants are being discarded into the atmosphere, water and soil and accumulated by plants and internal human tissues due to rapidly growing agriculture activities, metal industries, waste disposal, traffic emissions and expanding industrialisation. Heavy metals are non-degradable and can easily persist in the environment. Due to their hazardous impact on the environment, heavy metals have received great attention in terms of their environmental consequences, toxicity to human health, pollution prevention as well as novel treatment methods that enhance environmental sustainability and provide effective support for seeking the ‘best’ environmental management options.

This Special Issue entitled “Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment”, which belongs to the Sustainability Journal (ISSN 2071-1050), is a collection of papers that aims to explore a wide range of topics on the impact of heavy metals in the sustainable environment, including (but not limited to) the following:

(1) An evaluation of heavy metals’ mobility in the environment.

(2) Heavy metal pollution and health risks.

(3) Risk assessment of heavy metals in the air, water, plants and related soils.

(4) Environmental sustainability and the prevention of heavy metal pollution.

(5) Advances in heavy metal remediation: methods, tools and technology.

(6) Monitoring and the impact of assessment approaches for heavy metals.

(7) Statistical and environmental modelling of heavy metal pollution.

(8) Heavy metals’ impact on the circular economy.

(9) Cross-cutting aspects and sustainability.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute your relevant manuscripts to this Special Issue. Both original research papers and reviews are welcome. The keywords listed below represent a few of our research priorities.

We look forward to receiving your contribution.

Prof. Dr. Mihone Kerolli Mustafa
Prof. Dr. Lidija Ćurković
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

heavy metal
mobility
soil pollution
water contamination
air pollution
plant accumulation
health risk
environmental monitoring
risk assessment
heavy metals remediation
environmental sustainability
environmental modelling

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.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 4342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Homing Pigeons as Biomonitors of Atmospheric Metal Exposure and Health Effects to Promote Environment Sustainability

by Jia Cui, Richard S. Halbrook, Shuying Zang, Mary A. Masdo, Li Sun and Shuang Han

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 7014; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167014 - 15 Aug 2024

Viewed by 844

Abstract

Homing pigeons are promising biomonitors of atmospheric metal pollution that may influence human health and environmental sustainability. However, exact interactions between respiratory and oral exposure and associations between atmospheric and pulmonary metal concentrations and effects are lacking. The current experiments measure differences in homing pigeon tissue cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations due to diet and atmospheric exposure, and changes in pulmonary lesions associated with changing seasonal atmospheric metal concentrations. Forty 6-week-old homing pigeons were raised for 9 months in experiment 1, and seventy-five pigeons from different age groups were necropsied in winter, spring/summer, and autumn in experiment 2. Results indicate that atmospheric metal concentrations influence lung cadmium and lead concentrations, that atmospheric metal concentrations fluctuated seasonally and were greatest in fine particulate matter (PM_2.1) during winter, and the rate of lung cadmium and lead accumulations reflected temporal changes. There were significant correlations between lung metal concentrations and alveolar macrophage lesions. Time (10 months) and higher metal concentrations (266 ng/g for Cd and 16,442 ng/g for Pb) are both important factors in the production of pulmonary dust cells. Our experiments indicate that homing pigeons can provide specific information on diseases resulting from atmospheric pollution exposure and that these data can assist in public health decisions and environmental regulations to promote sustainable development of the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Surrounding Mining Region of Kizhnica in Kosovo

by Lavdim Zeqiri, Šime Ukić, Lidija Ćurković, Jelena Djokic and Mihone Kerolli Mustafa

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166721 - 6 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1026

Abstract

This study investigated the distribution of heavy metals in agricultural soils in the vicinity of three large mining landfills of the Kizhnica mine in the Republic of Kosovo. The mining sector is one of the most important sectors of Kosovo’s economic development, and the Kizhnica mine is one of the most important ore producers in Kosovo. Besides the positive aspects, the development of production also has some negative side effects, such as the generation of industrial waste and the possible contamination of surrounding areas, including agricultural land. Therefore, ten sampling sites were selected in the vicinity of the Kizhnica mine. These sites were characterized and assessed as the most important due to the anthropogenic impact of mineral processing and open-tailing waste deposits in Kizhnica. The concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, Ni, Mn and Sb in the selected samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The data obtained were used to create geochemical maps and calculate the contamination factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index. Cluster analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and air spatial distribution patterns using the air dispersion model were used to evaluate within the area. The results showed that heavy metal levels are influenced by the anthropogenic nature of pollution, confirming a current ecological threat from mining activities in the region. In order to improve waste management, reduce the hazardous impacts of mining and contribute to the sustainable development of the region, the potential reuse of the deposited waste material in the construction industry is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 4406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Sulfur-Grafted Chitosan Biopolymers and Improvement to Their Sorption of Silver Ions from Different Aqueous Solutions

by Mohammed F. Hamza, Gehan A. El-Habibi, Adel A.-H. Abdel-Rahman, Mahmoud S. Khalafalla, Hamada H. Amer, Amr Fouda, Mahmoud A. Swelim, Waheed M. Salem and Saly R. El Dakkony

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135280 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1276

Abstract

A functionalized chitosan thiourea composite (CH-TU) was successfully synthesized using formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent for enhancing silver recovery from different aqueous solutions. Comparison sorption studies with a non-functionalized composite (CH-F) as a reference material were conducted. Grafting led to an improvement in the sorption performances, i.e., 0.763 mmol Ag g⁻¹ for CH-F vs. 2.125 mmol Ag g⁻¹ for CH-TU. The pseudo-first-order rate equation (PFORE) was fitted to the sorption kinetics at saturation times of 40 and 30 min for CH-F and CH-TU, respectively, while the sorption isotherms were fitted with Langmuir and Sips equations for both sorbents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), nitrogen sorption–desorption isotherms (BET-surface area), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pH of the zero charge (pH_pzc) were used to characterize and investigate the sorption mechanism. Sorption was performed three times to check the reproducibility, while the sorption performances were stable over 20 cycles, with a limited decrease in performance (5 and 3% for CH-F and CH-TU, respectively). Nitric acid solution (0.3 M) was efficient for desorbing the adsorbed metal ions. The grafted sorbent with thiourea is considered as a promising tool for recovering Ag(I) from acidic waste leachate derived from waste spent films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Potential of Sunflower Grown in Metal-Contaminated Soils for Production of Biofuels

by Ana P. G. C. Marques, Ana Paulo and Nídia S. Caetano

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051829 - 23 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1897

Abstract

Environmental biotechnology needs solutions that are associated with a low budget and cleaner remediation, and which are connected to resources and energetic valorization, to be able to encourage a circular bioeconomy. A prospective resolution for heavy-metal-contaminated soils is the application of phytoremediation approaches merged with bioenergy generation using the resulting biomass. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) has been studied as a feedstock for biodiesel generation, and appears to be very attractive for biogas and bioethanol production. The current study reports an innovative energetic valorization approach of H. annuus biomass derived from the application of a phytoremediation strategy devised to remove Zn and Cd from an industrially contaminated soil (599 mg Zn kg⁻¹ and 1.2 mg Cd kg⁻¹)—and its comparison to the analysis of the same energetic valorization pathway for sunflower plants growing in an agricultural non-contaminated soil. After plant harvesting, bioethanol was produced from the aboveground tissues, and applied in the transesterification of the oil obtained through seed extraction for the generation of biodiesel. Also, biogas production was assessed through the root’s biomass anaerobic digestion. Similar yields of oil extraction—0.32 and 0.28 mL g⁻¹ DW—were obtained when using seeds from H. annuus cultured in contaminated and non-contaminated soils, respectively. The production yield of bioethanol was superior using biomass from the agricultural non-contaminated soil (0.29 mL g⁻¹ DW) when compared to the industrial metal-contaminated soil (0.20 mL g⁻¹ DW). Zinc was measured in minor levels in bioethanol and oil (ca. 1.1 and 1.8 mg mL⁻¹, correspondingly) resulting from the biomass cultivated in the industrialized soil, whereas Cd was not detected. The production yield of biogas was superior when using root biomass from H. annuus cultivated in agricultural non-contaminated soil (VS max. ca. 104 mL g⁻¹) when compared to the one deriving from the industrial contaminated soil (VS max ca. 85 mL g⁻¹). Generally, results demonstrate that substantial production yields of the tested biofuels were attained from biomass resulting from phytoremediation, corroborating this integrated original approach as a valuable alternative for the phytoremediation of HM-polluted soils and as an important strategy for plant biomass valorization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 11632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elucidating the Potential of Biochar-Bentonite Composite and Kaolinite-Based Seed Balls for the Remediation of Coal Mining Impacted Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil

by Isha Medha, Subhash Chandra and Jayanta Bhattacharya

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 12900; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712900 - 25 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1598

Abstract

Globally, open-pit coal mining is associated with severe land use impact and the contamination of soil and water resources with heavy metals. Thus, in growing economies like India, where coal is a significant energy source, the heavy metals contamination of soil and water become ubiquitous. This study uses a unique remediation approach by developing biochar-bentonite-based seed balls encapsulating Shorgham grass seeds at their core for application in the contaminated soil. The seed ball was developed by using the bentonite biochar composite in varying weight fractions of 0.5–5% with respect to the kaolinite, whose fractions in the seed ball also varied at one, three, and five parts. The seed balls were applied to the pots containing 3 kg of heavy-metals-contaminated soil for a pot-culture study in a polyhouse for a period of four months. Initial soil analysis results indicated that the mine soil samples showed poor nutrient and organic matter content and were contaminated with heavy metals such as Ni, Zn, Cr, and Cd. Post-pot-culture soil analysis results indicated that the application of seed balls containing five fractions of biochar composite with its combination with three and five-weight fractions of kaolinite showed substantial improvement in the pH, available nutrients, organic matter content, soil enzymes, and overall soil fertility index compared to the controlled study and other cases. The same combination of seed balls also significantly reduced the plant-available fractions of Ni, Zn, Cr, and Cd in the soil, indicating the stabilization of heavy metals within the soil matrix. Also, the application of seed balls substantially improved the plant physiology and reduced the release of stress hormones within the plant cells, indicating improvement in the plant’s biotic and abiotic stress factors. Thus, the application of seed balls in heavy metals contaminated soils, particularly over a large stretch of land, could be a low-cost and viable remediation technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Retrieval of Soil Heavy Metal Content for Environment Monitoring in Mining Area via Transfer Learning

by Yun Yang, Qinfang Cui, Rongjie Cheng, Aidi Huo and Yanting Wang

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11765; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511765 - 31 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1357

Abstract

Monitoring environmental pollution sources is an ongoing issue that must be addressed to reduce risks to public health, food safety, and the environment. However, retrieving topsoil heavy metal content at a low cost for environmental monitoring in mining areas is challenging. Therefore, this study proposes a network model based on transfer learning theory and a back propagation (BP) network optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA), taking the Daxigou mining area in Shaanxi Province, China, as a case study. Firstly, visible and near-infrared spectrum data from Landsat8 satellite images, digital elevation models, and geochemical data from field-collected soil samples were used to extract environmental factor candidates indicating the content and spatial distribution of certain heavy metals, including copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). Secondly, each element was correlated with environmental factors and a multicollinearity test was performed to determine the optimal factor set. Then, the BP network optimized by GA was pre-trained with sample data collected in 2017 and retrained with minimal sample data from 2019 using the parameter transfer learning method, allowing spatial distribution mapping of the Cu and Pb content in topsoil of the Daxigou mining area in 2019. From the validation results using field-collected data, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean relative error (MRE) values using the proposed model, respectively, reduced by 4.688 mg/kg and 1.533 mg/kg for Cu and reduced by 1.586 mg/kg and 1.232 mg/kg for Pb compared to the traditional GA-BP model. Thus, conclusions can be drawn that our proposed Tr-GA-BP network performs well, requiring 16 training samples collected in 2019. In addition, the content of Cu is the highest; Pb is the second highest in the study area. Both of them were spatially distributed mainly in the exploitation, slag stacking, roadside, etc., consistent with field investigation results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Impact of Heavy Metals on the Sustainable Environment

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI