Treatment and Restoration of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Water: From the Ecological and Sustainable Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Heavy metal contamination of soils and water poses persistent threats to ecosystems, public health, and agricultural productivity. This Special Issue, 'Treatment and Restoration of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Water: From the Ecological and Sustainable Perspectives,' emphasizes integrated remediation approaches that blend ecological restoration with sustainable development. It encompasses phytoremediation, microbial-assisted remediation, soil amendments, physicochemical treatments, and hybrid strategies designed to reduce toxicity, promote ecosystem recovery, and facilitate resource reuse.

While conventional remediation research often prioritizes technology over ecological integration, this issue seeks to bridge that gap by highlighting strategies that restore ecological balance and monitor sustainability outcomes. Contributions are invited to include life cycle assessments, sustainability metrics, long-term effectiveness, and socio-economic analyses. By focusing on multidisciplinary evaluations and field-level applications, the Special Issue advances the literature toward the development of measurable, sustainable interventions in heavy-metal-impacted environments.

Aligned with Pollutants' mission, this issue will deliver actionable insights for policymakers, environmental managers, and researchers, promoting resilient, cost-effective, and ecosystem-aligned remediation practices for long-term environmental stewardship.

Prof. Dr. Tianpeng Gao
Guest Editor

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