Advances in Water, Air and Soil Pollution Monitoring, Modeling and Restoration, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 3091

Special Issue Editors

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, Constanța, Romania
Interests: advanced methods and monitoring techniques of water, air, and soil; analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in the atmosphere; drinking water; wastewater; sewage and soil (including toxic species); bioremediation and ecosystem restoration models
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics in Constructions, Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: environmental modeling; materials science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the first Special Issue, “Advances in Water, Air and Soil Pollution Monitoring, Modeling and Restoration”, this Special Issue proposes the same theme of investigating the pollution of air, water, and soil from different sources.

Human activities over the past century have led to an unprecedented accumulation of pollutants in air, water, and soil, raising urgent concerns about ecosystem integrity, public health, and long-term sustainability. The diversity of contaminants—ranging from microplastics and antibiotics to heavy metals, fertilizers, and greenhouse gases—poses complex challenges that cannot be addressed solely through conventional monitoring and remediation strategies. At the same time, the interplay of physical, chemical, and biological processes continues to transform pollutants in ways that complicate detection, assessment, and risk evaluation.

Recent advances in environmental science have introduced innovative tools and approaches for tracking pollution dynamics, modeling their dispersion and impact, and designing more effective mitigation and restoration strategies. These include high-resolution monitoring techniques, computational modeling of pollutant behavior, and biotechnological solutions that harness the potential of microorganisms for degradation and detoxification. Yet, significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly in understanding cumulative impacts, cross-compartment pollution transfer, and the societal implications of environmental quality decline.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for cutting-edge research that addresses these challenges. We invite contributions that advance methodologies for monitoring and modeling pollution in air, water, and soil, as well as studies that propose innovative restoration or mitigation strategies. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this collection seeks to deepen our understanding of pollution processes, assess their risks, and highlight practical solutions that support ecosystem resilience and safeguard human well-being.

Prof. Dr. Alina Barbulescu
Dr. Lucica Barbes
Dr. Cristian Ștefan Dumitriu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • environmental impact of pollution and risk assessment
  • statistical methods and mathematical models for environmental pollution
  • waste treatment engineering and ecotoxicity evaluation
  • impact of pollution on human health
  • engineering solution for pollution reduction (e.g., eco-friendly materials)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 33336 KB  
Article
Water Quality Metrics of Fishponds During the Cold Season, with a Focus on the Potential Risk of Metals and Microplastics
by Marinela Mirica Gancea, Cristiana Radulescu, Andreea Laura Banica, Ioana Daniela Dulama, Raluca Maria Stirbescu, Ioan Alin Bucurica, Mioara Costache and Mariana Cristina Arcade
Toxics 2026, 14(5), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14050403 - 8 May 2026
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Abstract
Aquaculture in ponds supplied by streams or rivers requires careful evaluation of key physicochemical parameters and potential pollution threats, particularly metals and microplastics. To address these challenges, this research aims to monitor daily climatic and physicochemical parameters and quantify potentially toxic metals and [...] Read more.
Aquaculture in ponds supplied by streams or rivers requires careful evaluation of key physicochemical parameters and potential pollution threats, particularly metals and microplastics. To address these challenges, this research aims to monitor daily climatic and physicochemical parameters and quantify potentially toxic metals and microplastics in the water of 19 fishponds in the SCDP Nucet, Romania, over one winter season (i.e., December 2024 to February 2025). During this season, unique hydrochemical conditions arise, such as lower temperatures, reduced light, and decreased activity, which can affect the ecological balance and fish health. Accordingly, a total of 4650 samples were collected and analyzed in terms of physicochemical parameters (i.e., alkalinity, bicarbonate, calcium ions, magnesium ions, Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, organic matter, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ammonium, total hardness, resistivity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, free and total chlorine), metals, and microplastics. Statistical analysis revealed the influence of winter weather on water quality, highlighting links between air and water temperatures and physicochemical parameters. Furthermore, water analyses revealed notable levels of microplastics, including fibers and fragments of various colors, shapes, and sizes. Polypropylene, polyethene, and nylon were the most prevalent. While appreciable quantities of blue, green, black, and yellow fibers were found in size ranges (0.09–0.3 mm), irregular yellow fragments or translucent particles were found in sizes less than 0.5 mm. Metal (i.e., Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations do not exceed the standard values set by national and European regulations. However, it is worth noting that microplastics can amplify or mitigate metal toxicity. The results emphasize the importance of integrated monitoring of physicochemical parameters and emerging pollutants during the cold season, thereby improving understanding of the chemical processes governing water quality in fishponds, providing scientific support for future environmental risk assessment, and promoting innovative, adaptive technologies. Full article
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Review

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34 pages, 837 KB  
Review
Cement Industry Pollution Mitigation: A Comprehensive Review on Reducing Environmental and Health Impacts
by Kamal Hosen and Alina Bărbulescu
Toxics 2026, 14(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14020138 - 30 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
Cement production exerts a significant negative impact on the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and other toxic substances into the atmosphere, soil, and bodies of water, degrading the environment and affecting the population’s health. This study [...] Read more.
Cement production exerts a significant negative impact on the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases, particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and other toxic substances into the atmosphere, soil, and bodies of water, degrading the environment and affecting the population’s health. This study reviews different solutions to reduce pollution and mitigate its effects. Particular attention is given to Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies and their ability to significantly reduce CO2. Biomass and waste-derived fuels were identified as viable substitutes for fossil fuels, although challenges related to supply chain reliability and secondary environmental impacts remain. The study further examined mitigation strategies for non-gaseous pollutants, including noise pollution control measures such as sound barriers and vibration isolation systems, soil remediation techniques such as phytoremediation and the recycling of cement kiln dust (CKD), and water pollution control technologies, including filtration, chemical precipitation, biological treatment, and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems. Key research gaps were identified, particularly concerning the long-term durability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of these mitigation approaches. Overall, the review emphasizes the need for integrated pollution control strategies to support the transition toward a more sustainable cement industry and recommends future research focused on developing mitigation technologies that are efficient, economically viable, and adaptable to large-scale industrial applications. Full article
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