Hazardous Metals Pollution, Soil Remediation, and Sustainable Environmental Protection

This Special Issue, titled "Hazardous Metals Pollution, Soil Remediation, and Sustainable Environmental Protection," delves into the rising presence of hazardous elements in soil, with a particular emphasis on hazardous metals and microplastics, underscoring the urgent need for effective remediation strategies. Soil contamination by toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic presents long-term risks to ecosystems, food safety, and human health. Additionally, this issue highlights the emerging threat of microplastics, which can alter soil structure, facilitate pollutant transport, and interact with hazardous metals, thereby increasing their mobility and bioavailability. The aim of this issue is to enhance the understanding of contamination mechanisms, pollutant behavior within soil matrices, and the development of reliable assessment tools, including pollution indices and risk models. We invite contributions that explore innovative and sustainable remediation techniques, such as phytoremediation, chemical stabilization, and biochar application, tailored to complex contamination scenarios. This issue builds upon the existing literature by integrating research on both inorganic and organic pollutants, emphasizing their combined effects and the necessity for interdisciplinary approaches. It seeks to support the development of science-based solutions for soil restoration and long-term environmental protection, in alignment with global sustainability goals. 

Dear Colleagues, 

(1) Soil contamination by hazardous elements, notably hazardous metals and microplastics, constitutes an escalating global concern with significant ramifications for both environmental and human health. These pollutants persist in the environment, bioaccumulate within food chains, and impair soil functions critical for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services. Although extensive research has been conducted on individual contaminants, the combined effects and interactions of these pollutants remain inadequately understood. This Special Issue seeks to enhance scientific understanding of the behavior, risk assessment, and remediation of toxic elements in soil. It advocates for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate geochemistry, environmental engineering, and sustainability science to facilitate effective soil protection and restoration.

​​(2) The objective of this Special Issue is to advance research on the identification, behavior, and remediation of hazardous soil pollutants, with a particular emphasis on hazardous metals and microplastics. It aims to showcase innovative, science-based approaches to soil restoration that are environmentally sustainable and applicable across diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts. The subject matter is directly aligned with the scope of Sustainability, which supports interdisciplinary studies addressing environmental challenges, resource management, and long-term ecological resilience. By concentrating on soil health and pollution mitigation, this issue contributes to the journal’s mission of promoting sustainable development and safeguarding natural systems for future generations.​​ 

(3) Suggested Themes for the Special Issue

1. Assessment of Hazardous Metal Contamination in Agricultural and Urban Soils
2. Microplastics in Soil: Sources, Distribution, and Environmental Impact
3. Interactions Between Microplastics and Hazardous Metals in Soil Systems
4. Development and Application of Soil Pollution Indices
5. Innovative and Sustainable Soil Remediation Techniques
6. Phytoremediation and Bioremediation of Toxic Soil Elements
7. Risk Assessment and Modeling of Contaminated Sites
8. Impact of Soil Pollution on Soil Microbiota and Ecosystem Services
9. Policy, Regulation, and Socio-economic Aspects of Soil Protection
10. Case Studies on Soil Restoration in Industrial, Mining, or Agricultural Areas

Dr. Helena Doležalová Weissmannová
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• hazardous metal pollution
• microplastics in soil and water
• soil contamination
• environmental remediation
• pollution indices
• risk assessment
• sustainable soil management
• phytoremediation
• soil health
• toxic elements