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Toxics
Special Issues
Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment
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Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 402

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guangyi Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Interests: metal stable isotopes; isotope fractionation mechanism; biogeochemical cycles; heavy metals; krast; trace metal health risks
Prof. Dr. Peng Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental, Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: geochemical modeling; contaminant transport; heavy metal behavior; site remediation; synchrotron analysis; hydrogeological controls

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the distribution patterns, transport mechanisms, and environmental behavior of trace metals across diverse environmental matrices, including aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. We invite contributions addressing the following topics: (1) advanced detection methods for trace metals (e.g., ICP-MS and synchrotron-based techniques) in water, soil, sediments, and biota; (2) drivers of spatial-temporal dynamics (e.g., anthropogenic emissions, weathering, and climate change); (3) critical interfacial processes governing metal mobility, such as adsorption–desorption, redox transformations, and organic complexation; (4) iboavailability, trophic transfer, and ecotoxicological impacts; (5) emerging risks from technology-critical elements (e.g., rare earths and nanoparticles) and their interactions with coexisting pollutants. Studies integrating field observations, experimental simulations, and predictive modeling (e.g., machine learning and geochemical modeling) are encouraged. This Special Issue aims to deepen mechanistic understandings of trace metal cycling and support the developemnt of evidence-based strategies for environmental monitoring, remediation, and policy development.

Dr. Guangyi Sun
Prof. Dr. Peng Liu
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. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • trace metal dynamics
  • cross-media transport
  • bioavailability
  • environmental speciation
  • ecotoxicological risk
  • anthropogenic impact

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 6926 KiB  
Article
Exploring Heavy Metals Exposure in Urban Green Zones of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece): Risks to Soil and People’s Health
by Ioannis Papadopoulos, Evangelia E. Golia, Ourania-Despoina Kantzou, Sotiria G. Papadimou and Anna Bourliva
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080632 (registering DOI) - 27 Jul 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential [...] Read more.
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential neighborhoods, parks, and mixed-use areas, with sampling conducted both after the wet (winter) and dry (summer) seasons. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, texture, organic matter, and calcium carbonate content) were analyzed alongside the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. A pollution assessment employed the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (Cf), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), revealing variable contamination levels across the city, with certain hotspots exhibiting a considerable to very high ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and HCA) identified distinct anthropogenic and geogenic sources of heavy metals. Health risk assessments, based on USEPA models, evaluated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for both adults and children via ingestion and dermal contact pathways. The results indicate that while most sites present low to moderate health risks, specific locations, particularly near major transport and industrial areas, pose elevated risks, especially for children. The findings underscore the need for targeted monitoring and remediation strategies to mitigate the ecological and human health risks associated with urban soil pollution in Thessaloniki. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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16 pages, 3177 KiB  
Article
Cadmium as the Critical Limiting Factor in the Co-Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Fly Ash in Cement Kilns: Implications for Three-Stage Water Washing Efficiency and Safe Dosage Control
by Zhonggen Li, Qingfeng Wang, Li Tang, Liangliang Yang and Guangyi Sun
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070593 - 15 Jul 2025
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Abstract
The co-disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) in cement kilns is an effective method for managing incineration by-products in China. However, the presence of heavy metals in MSWI-FA raises environmental concerns. This study analyzed the Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, [...] Read more.
The co-disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) in cement kilns is an effective method for managing incineration by-products in China. However, the presence of heavy metals in MSWI-FA raises environmental concerns. This study analyzed the Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni concentrations in MSWI-FA from 11 representative facilities across China and assessed the efficacy of a three-stage water washing process for Cl and heavy metal removal. The results revealed significant regional variations in heavy metal content that were strongly correlated with surface soil levels, with Zn, Pb, and Cu exhibiting the highest concentrations. Elemental correlations, such as Cu-Pb and Zn-Cd synergies and Cd-Ni antagonism, suggest common waste sources and temperature-dependent volatilization during incineration. The washing process (solid–liquid ratio = 1:10) achieved 97.1 ± 2.0% Cl removal, reducing residual Cl to 0.45 ± 0.32%, but demonstrated limited heavy metal elimination (10.28–19.38% efficiency), resulting in elevated concentrations (32.5–60.8% increase) due to 43.4 ± 9.2% mass loss. Notably, the washing effluents exceeded municipal wastewater discharge limits by up to 52-fold for Pb and 38-fold for Cd, underscoring the need for advanced effluent treatment. To mitigate environmental risks, the addition of washed MSWI-FA in cement kilns should be restricted to ≤0.5%, with Cd content prioritized in pre-disposal assessments. This study provides actionable insights for optimizing MSWI-FA co-processing while ensuring compliance with ecological safety standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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