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Toxics
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Emissions, Environmental Behavior, Pollution Distribution, Modeling, and Risk Assessment of...
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Emissions, Environmental Behavior, Pollution Distribution, Modeling, and Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Contaminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2025) | Viewed by 10548

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ye Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: air pollution; POPs; emission inventory; environmental modeling; health risk assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of chemicals that have raised significant concern due to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulative properties, and potential toxic effects on human health and ecosystems. The emissions of POPs, their environmental behavior, pollution distribution, modeling, and risk assessment are critical areas of research that inform the development of effective strategies for their management and control. Human activities, such as industrial processes, waste incineration, and the use of certain pesticides, have contributed to the release of POPs into the environment. The complex interactions between POPs and environmental matrices require a multidisciplinary approach to understand and mitigate their impacts.

This Special Issue will bring together cutting-edge research that addresses the emissions, environmental behavior, pollution distribution, modeling, and risk assessment of POPs. We invite authors to submit original research papers, comprehensive reviews, and concise short communications that contribute to the understanding of POPs in the environment. 

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Sources and pathways of POP emissions;
  2. Fate and transport of POPs in various environmental compartments;
  3. Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of POPs in the environment;
  4. Advanced modeling techniques for predicting the behavior and impact of POPs;
  5. Health and ecological risk assessment methodologies for POP exposure;
  6. Strategies for the reduction and remediation of POP pollution.

Prof. Dr. Ye Huang
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 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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
  • emission inventory
  • environmental behavior
  • pollution distribution
  • risk assessment
  • modeling techniques
  • remediation strategies

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2084 KB  
Article
Quantifying Influencing Factors of Dioxin Removal in Fly Ash Pyrolysis Through Meta-Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling
by Tao He, Shihan Tan, Qi Su, Feifei Chen, Chenlei Xie, Yuchi Zhong, Shuai Zhang and Jiafeng Ding
Toxics 2025, 13(12), 1072; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13121072 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 778
Abstract
The treatment of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in incineration fly ash presents a significant challenge in solid hazardous waste management. This study systematically analyzed the influence mechanisms of multiple factors on the removal efficiency of PCDD/Fs during fly ash pyrolysis. It [...] Read more.
The treatment of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in incineration fly ash presents a significant challenge in solid hazardous waste management. This study systematically analyzed the influence mechanisms of multiple factors on the removal efficiency of PCDD/Fs during fly ash pyrolysis. It integrated 4068 datasets conducted between 2010 and 2025 through meta-analysis. Results show that Al2O3, CaO, SiO2, and Cl in fly ash components enhance the removal efficiency by 14.0%, while Fe2O3 (Content greater than 5.7%) exhibits inhibitory effects. Cd and Cr demonstrate a bimodal response pattern: low/high concentrations promote removal, while medium concentrations inhibit it. Process optimization identified the optimal parameter combination as pyrolysis temperatures of 500–900 °C, residence time of 50–90 min, and a gas flow rate greater than or equal to 400 mL/min. A significant negative correlation was observed between the initial dioxin concentration and removal efficiency. This study established a structural equation modeling (SEM) model to describe how metallic and nonmetallic components, fly ash components, and pyrolysis conditions determine removal efficiency. Fly ash composition was confirmed as the most influential factor (total effect = 0.3194), with fixed carbon and ash content being the most reliable indicators. Among pyrolysis conditions, gas conditions (flow rate, gas type) also significantly affected removal efficiency (total effect = 0.2357). Conversely, nonmetallic components and excessively prolonged pyrolysis time (beyond the window) consistently reduced removal efficiency. These findings provide theoretical support for upgrading fly ash pyrolysis processes toward low-carbon and resource-efficient operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emissions, Environmental Behavior, Pollution Distribution, Modeling, and Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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13 pages, 2007 KB  
Article
Ecological Risk and Early Warning of PCBs in Central Jilin Province’s Black Soil Zone, China
by Jinying Li, Yanan Chen, Dianqi Pan, Jiquan Zhang, Yichen Zhang, Pengju Song and Wanying Shi
Toxics 2025, 13(4), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040249 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 966
Abstract
To investigate the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the black soils of Northeast China, we collected 59 surface soil samples from the central black soil region of Jilin Province. We analyzed the concentrations and sources of seven PCBs in the black soil, [...] Read more.
To investigate the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the black soils of Northeast China, we collected 59 surface soil samples from the central black soil region of Jilin Province. We analyzed the concentrations and sources of seven PCBs in the black soil, assessed the ecological risks associated with PCB contamination, and provided a risk assessment for PCBs in this soil type. The mean concentrations of the seven PCBs (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180) were as follows: 1.61 μg/kg, 10.61 μg/kg, 0.37 μg/kg, 4.11 μg/kg, 0.70 μg/kg, 1.07 μg/kg, and 2.09 μg/kg, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that PCB contamination in black soil is mainly attributed to automobile exhaust emissions during transportation, waste incineration processes, and insulation materials from electronic and electrical equipment. PCB28 and PCB52 are the primary causes of PCB danger, according to the findings of the ecological risk assessment, with Liaoyuan City having the highest risk. By applying contemporary industrial economic theory to analyze the annual accumulation of contaminants, we forecasted future PCB concentrations in black soil and issued a risk warning for these seven PCBs. Our results indicate that under the three scenarios considered, the presence of these seven PCBs in black soil does not pose a significant risk. However, given that our study examined only seven PCBs, the actual environmental risk may be underestimated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emissions, Environmental Behavior, Pollution Distribution, Modeling, and Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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Review

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29 pages, 3426 KB  
Review
Microplastics as an Emerging Potential Threat: Toxicity, Life Cycle Assessment, and Management
by Sameh S. Ali, Mohammed Hussein M. Alsharbaty, Rania Al-Tohamy, Maha A. Khalil, Michael Schagerl, Majid Al-Zahrani and Jianzhong Sun
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120909 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7853
Abstract
The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, MPs are ubiquitous in the environment. As a consequence of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling [...] Read more.
The pervasiveness of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has become a significant environmental concern in recent years. Because of their slow rate of disposal, MPs are ubiquitous in the environment. As a consequence of indiscriminate use, landfill deposits, and inadequate recycling methods, MP production and environmental accumulation are expanding at an alarming rate, resulting in a range of economic, social, and environmental repercussions. Aquatic organisms, including fish and various crustaceans, consume MPs, which are ultimately consumed by humans at the tertiary level of the food chain. Blocking the digestive tracts, disrupting digestive behavior, and ultimately reducing the reproductive growth of entire living organisms are all consequences of this phenomenon. In order to assess the potential environmental impacts and the resources required for the life of a plastic product, the importance of life cycle assessment (LCA) and circularity is underscored. MPs-related ecosystem degradation has not yet been adequately incorporated into LCA, a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of product and technology life cycles. It is a technique that is designed to quantify the environmental effects of a product from its inception to its demise, and it is frequently employed in the context of plastics. The control of MPs is necessary due to the growing concern that MPs pose as a newly emergent potential threat. This is due to the consequences of their use. This paper provides a critical analysis of the formation, distribution, and methods used for detecting MPs. The effects of MPs on ecosystems and human health are also discussed, which posed a great challenge to conduct an LCA related to MPs. The socio-economic impacts of MPs and their management are also discussed. This paper paves the way for understanding the ecotoxicological impacts of the emerging MP threat and their associated issues to LCA and limits the environmental impact of plastic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emissions, Environmental Behavior, Pollution Distribution, Modeling, and Risk Assessment of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs))
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