The Sources, Biological Factors and Migration Mechanisms of Metals and Metalloids in Aquatic Environments
A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Quality and Contamination".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editor
Interests: marine chemistry; trace elements; distribution and ecotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Metals and metalloids in aquatic environments originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Natural contributions include rock weathering, volcanic activity, and soil erosion, while human activities such as mining, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and sewage discharge represent major inputs. These processes introduce trace elements, some of which are essential for life, such as zinc and copper, as well as other toxic elements, including mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and chromium, into freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Once present, metals and metalloids interact with biological components of the system. Primary producers such as algae and phytoplankton take dissolved chemical elements directly from water, which then transfer through food webs to invertebrates and fish. Through processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification, top predators may reach hazardous concentrations. The extent of uptake depends on species-specific traits, feeding strategies, and metabolic characteristics, which influence how metals and metalloids are stored or eliminated.
Migration mechanisms further regulate the environmental distribution of chemical elements. Metals and metalloids may exist in dissolved forms, attach to suspended particles, or settle into sediments that act as long-term sinks. Environmental changes, such as storms, dredging, or bioturbation, can resuspend these contaminants, causing them to return to the water column.
Together, these processes determine the fate, bioavailability, and ecological risk of heavy metals in aquatic systems.
Given the broad scope of this topic, this special issue has been set up between two different journals, Minerals and Water, with the same title, guest editor team, and submission deadline.
Minerals
For submission to Minerals, manuscripts should focus on the geochemical, mineralogical, and environmental aspects of metals and metalloids, particularly those associated with mineral deposits, mining activities, and natural ore-forming processes. Studies should contribute to the knowledge of mineral resource characterization, the impacts of extraction, waste management, and the role of mineral phases in trace element mobility. Papers are expected to emphasize mineral–metal interactions, geological context, and processes influencing the occurrence, transformation, or remediation of mineral-derived contaminants.
Water
For submission to Water, manuscripts should emphasize topics directly related to hydrological processes, aquatic ecosystems, and water quality monitoring. Papers should clearly demonstrate their relevance to the management, monitoring, and protection of freshwater or marine resources, and highlight methodological rigor in sampling, analysis, and interpretation of water-related data. Interdisciplinary approaches that integrate chemistry, biology, hydrology, and environmental science are encouraged, provided that the study makes a significant contribution to understanding water systems.
Dr. Lía Celina Méndez-Rodríguez
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 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. Water 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 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 elements
- pollution
- metal bioavailability
- health risk
- climate change
- marine currents
- mineral deposits ecotoxicology
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
