Special Issue "Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021).

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
Interests: plant tissue culture; secondary metabolites; hydroponics; environmental protection
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Muthu Thiruvengadam
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Bioscience, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea
Interests: Bioactive compounds; anthraquinones; phenols; flavonoids; anthocyanins; glucosinolates; vitamins; carotenoids; antioxidants; anticancer; antidiabetic; antiviral; anti-inflammatory; biomedical activities; natural products; hairy root cultures; plant extracts; liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry; nanotechnology
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical pollution is currently one of the most concerning ecological problems on a global scale, due to the high risks posed to environmental systems and human health. This leads to the environment’s ability to foster life being reduced as human, animal, and plant health become threatened. Chemical pollution occurs when chemicals resulting from human activities enter the environment, contaminating air, water, or soil. Pollution prevention, however, is a vital issue to sustainability. The Special Issue will focus on environmental pollution by chemicals (heavy metals, pesticides, and nanoparticles) and sustainable environment and pollution prevention management.

Dr. Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
Dr. Muthu Thiruvengadam
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 papers will be 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 1900 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

  • Air, Water and Soil Pollution
  • Heavy metals
  • PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons), Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Nitrogen Oxides
  • Herbicides/Insecticides
  • Nanoparticles
  • Pollution prevention and treatment
  • Sustainable environment
  • Environmental assessment

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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Article
A Fixed Bed Pervious Concrete Anaerobic Bioreactor for Biological Sulphate Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage Using Simple Organic Matter
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126529 - 08 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 516
Abstract
The development of low-operational-cost and low-operational-complexity active sulphate (SO4) reducing bioremediation for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is an ongoing pursuit towards sustainable mining. This study introduces a fixed bed pervious concrete anaerobic bioreactor as a second stage AMD remediation process. The [...] Read more.
The development of low-operational-cost and low-operational-complexity active sulphate (SO4) reducing bioremediation for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is an ongoing pursuit towards sustainable mining. This study introduces a fixed bed pervious concrete anaerobic bioreactor as a second stage AMD remediation process. The study investigated the pH self-regulation capabilities, SO4 remediation capabilities and the rate limiting parameters of the bioreactor using glucose as an organic matter source. The AMD was pre-treated using a permeable reactive barrier. A 21-day trial comprised of an increase in the SO4 loading rate while reducing the organic loading rate was undertaken to identify performance limiting conditions. A daily average SO4 concentration reduction rate of 55.2% was achieved over the initial 13 days of the experiments. The study found that a COD to SO4 ratio and VFA to alkalinity ratio below 5:1 and 0.5:1 respectively were performance limiting. The bioreactor was capable of self-regulating pH within the neutral range of 6.5 and 7.5. The study findings indicate that the bioreactor design can reduce operational costs and operational complexity of active AMD bioremediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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Article
Identifying the Driving Factors of Food Nitrogen Footprint in China, 2000–2018: Econometric Analysis of Provincial Spatial Panel Data by the STIRPAT Model
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6147; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116147 - 30 May 2021
Viewed by 706
Abstract
This paper studies the EKC hypothesis and STIRPAT model. Based on the panel data of carbon emission intensity and other influencing factors of 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2018, the spatial effect of per capita food nitrogen footprint (FNF) and the [...] Read more.
This paper studies the EKC hypothesis and STIRPAT model. Based on the panel data of carbon emission intensity and other influencing factors of 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2018, the spatial effect of per capita food nitrogen footprint (FNF) and the effect of different socio-economic factors in China were studied by using exploratory spatial data analysis and fixed effect spatial Durbin model for the first time. The results show that: (1) there is a spatial agglomeration effect and a positive spatial dependence relationship in China’s provincial per capita FNF (FNFP), which verifies that the relationship between China’s FNF and economy is in the early stage of EKC hypothesis curve. (2) The driving forces of China’s FNF were explored, including Engel’s coefficient of urban households (ECU), population density (PDEN), urbanization, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and technology. (3) The results show that there is a significant spatial spillover effect of FNFP. The ECU and NUE can reduce the regional FNFP, and can slow down the FNFP of surrounding provinces. (4) Policy makers need to formulate food nitrogen emission reduction policies from the food demand side, food consumption side and regional level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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Review

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Review
Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation by Plant Remediation Technologies
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6555; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126555 - 08 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 542
Abstract
Abandoned mine lands (AMLs), which are considered some of the most dangerous anthropogenic activities in the world, are a source of hazards relating to potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Traditional reclamation techniques, which are expensive, time-consuming and not well accepted by the general public, [...] Read more.
Abandoned mine lands (AMLs), which are considered some of the most dangerous anthropogenic activities in the world, are a source of hazards relating to potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Traditional reclamation techniques, which are expensive, time-consuming and not well accepted by the general public, cannot be used on a large scale. However, plant-based techniques have gained acceptance as an environmentally friendly alternative over the last 20 years. Plants can be used in AMLs for PTE phytoextraction, phytostabilization, and phytovolatilization. We reviewed these phytoremediation techniques, paying particular attention to the selection of appropriate plants in each case. In order to assess the suitability of plants for phytoremediation purposes, the accumulation capacity and tolerance mechanisms of PTEs was described. We also compiled a collection of interesting actual examples of AML phytoremediation. On-site studies have shown positive results in terms of soil quality improvement, reduced PTE bioavailability, and increased biodiversity. However, phytoremediation strategies need to better characterize potential plant candidates in order to improve PTE extraction and to reduce the negative impact on AMLs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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Review
Reviewing the Impact of Vehicular Pollution on Road-Side Plants—Future Perspectives
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 5114; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095114 - 03 May 2021
Viewed by 566
Abstract
With population explosion, automobiles have also exploded and so has pollution due to vehicular emissions. Road-side plants and highway vegetation are the first targets of these vehicular emissions. This review briefly presents a snapshot of how vehicular emission can affect plants. On the [...] Read more.
With population explosion, automobiles have also exploded and so has pollution due to vehicular emissions. Road-side plants and highway vegetation are the first targets of these vehicular emissions. This review briefly presents a snapshot of how vehicular emission can affect plants. On the contrary, the positive perspective of how road-side plants may be able to affect and influence the harmful effects of vehicular emissions has also been discussed. Ways and means by which plants can become potential bio indicators of air pollution have also been speculated. The fact that the nanocarbon particulate aspect of automobile pollutants and their interactions with road-side plants and more so on road-side agricultural crops, has not been appropriately investigated has been raised as a key concern. The need to arrive at mitigation methods to identify permanent solutions to these rising concerns has been highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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Review
Chromium Stress in Plants: Toxicity, Tolerance and Phytoremediation
Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4629; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094629 - 21 Apr 2021
Viewed by 833
Abstract
Extensive industrial activities resulted in an increase in chromium (Cr) contamination in the environment. The toxicity of Cr severely affects plant growth and development. Cr is also recognized as a human carcinogen that enters the human body via inhalation or by consuming Cr-contaminated [...] Read more.
Extensive industrial activities resulted in an increase in chromium (Cr) contamination in the environment. The toxicity of Cr severely affects plant growth and development. Cr is also recognized as a human carcinogen that enters the human body via inhalation or by consuming Cr-contaminated food products. Taking consideration of Cr enrichment in the environment and its toxic effects, US Environmental Protection Agency and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry listed Cr as a priority pollutant. In nature, Cr exists in various valence states, including Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Cr(VI) is the most toxic and persistent form in soil. Plants uptake Cr through various transporters such as phosphate and sulfate transporters. Cr exerts its effect by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hampering various metabolic and physiological pathways. Studies on genetic and transcriptional regulation of plants have shown the various detoxification genes get up-regulated and confer tolerance in plants under Cr stress. In recent years, the ability of the plant to withstand Cr toxicity by accumulating Cr inside the plant has been recognized as one of the promising bioremediation methods for the Cr contaminated region. This review summarized the Cr occurrence and toxicity in plants, role of detoxification genes in Cr stress response, and various plants utilized for phytoremediation in Cr-contaminated regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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Review
Aquatic Macrophytes in Constructed Wetlands: A Fight against Water Pollution
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9202; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219202 - 05 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 933
Abstract
There is growing concern among health institutions worldwide to supply clean water to their populations, especially to more vulnerable communities. Although sewage treatment systems can remove most contaminants, they are not efficient at removing certain substances that can be detected in significant quantities [...] Read more.
There is growing concern among health institutions worldwide to supply clean water to their populations, especially to more vulnerable communities. Although sewage treatment systems can remove most contaminants, they are not efficient at removing certain substances that can be detected in significant quantities even after standard treatments. Considering the necessity of perfecting techniques that can remove waterborne contaminants, constructed wetland systems have emerged as an effective bioremediation solution for degrading and removing contaminants. In spite of their environmentally friendly appearance and efficiency in treating residual waters, one of the limiting factors to structure efficient artificial wetlands is the choice of plant species that can both tolerate and remove contaminants. For sometimes, the chosen plants composing a system were not shown to increase wetland performance and became a problem since the biomass produced must have appropriated destination. We provide here an overview of the use and role of aquatic macrophytes in constructed wetland systems. The ability of plants to remove metals, pharmaceutical products, pesticides, cyanotoxins and nanoparticles in constructed wetlands were compared with the removal efficiency of non-planted systems, aiming to evaluate the capacity of plants to increase the removal efficiency of the systems. Moreover, this review also focuses on the management and destination of the biomass produced through natural processes of water filtration. The use of macrophytes in constructed wetlands represents a promising technology, mainly due to their efficiency of removal and the cost advantages of their implantation. However, the choice of plant species composing constructed wetlands should not be only based on the plant removal capacity since the introduction of invasive species can become an ecological problem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Pollution, Prevention, and Environmental Sustainability)
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