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Modification of the Polyphenolic Profile and Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity of Waste Orange Peel Extracts Using Alkali-Catalyzed Ethanol Organosolv Treatment
Char Produced from Waste and Biomass Blended Pellets: Comprehensive Thermochemical Behavior Assessment
Regional Baseline Estimation in Campania, Southern Italy: Incorporating Spatial Autocorrelation via Hotspot Analysis
Quantifying Urban Air Pollution Mitigation by Tree Canopies Using Low-Cost Sensors
The Association Between Serum Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Above the Intervention Threshold Level and Vaccine Antibody Concentrations in an Environmentally Exposed Population

Journal Description

Environments

Environments is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on environmental sciences published monthly online by MDPI.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, GeoRef, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Sciences) / CiteScore - Q1 (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics)
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 19.2 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2025).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Environments.
Journal Cluster of Environmental Science: Sustainability, Land, Clean Technologies, Environments, Nitrogen, Recycling, Urban Science, Safety, Air, Waste, Aerobiology and Toxics.

Impact Factor: 3.7 (2024); 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.7 (2024)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2076-3298

Latest Articles

22 pages, 4804 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ecosystems in Mexico Are Experiencing an Increase in Trend and Intensity in Aridity

by Leticia Citlaly López-Teloxa, Patricia Ruiz-García and Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas

Environments 2026, 13(4), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040187 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

This study examines the dynamics of aridity in Mexico in relation to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases (El Niño, La Niña and neutral conditions) between 1999 and 2024. The aim is to identify ecosystems that are exposed to emerging aridification. Aridity was estimated [...] Read more.

This study examines the dynamics of aridity in Mexico in relation to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases (El Niño, La Niña and neutral conditions) between 1999 and 2024. The aim is to identify ecosystems that are exposed to emerging aridification. Aridity was estimated using the Lang index at a resolution of 1 km across nearly two million grid cells. Aridity intensity and long-term trends were calculated and analysed by ENSO phase to identify areas of double exposure. Over 60% of Mexico is classified as arid or semi-arid. During El Niño, up to 100% of the central and southern regions exhibit increased aridity, affecting an area of 290,852 km² (14.7%), where both the intensity and the trend are high. Although La Niña typically brings wetter conditions, 150,022 km² (7.6%) still exhibit increasing aridity. Areas exposed to aridity under both ENSO phases cover 16,224 km² (0.8%), particularly affecting cloud forests, secondary vegetation and agricultural landscapes. This suggests a process of persistent aridification. The average arid area was 64% ± 7.51% during El Niño, 67% ± 1.44% during La Niña and 64% ± 8.14% during neutral years, indicating substantial variability beyond phase dependence. These findings reveal a complex, non-linear ENSO influence and suggest chronic hydroclimatic stress in some regions. Understanding which ecosystems experience recurrent aridity is crucial for effective water management, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation planning. Full article

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17 pages, 2368 KB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Nitrogen Accrual in Various Soil Organic Matter Fractions to Different Land Uses

by Benjamaporn Janplang, Napaporn Phankamolsil and Kiattisak Sonsri

Environments 2026, 13(4), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040186 - 26 Mar 2026

Land use practices are a key driver of soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, yet their influence on N accumulation within distinct soil organic matter (SOM) fractions remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the responses of N accrual in different SOM fractions to [...] Read more.

Land use practices are a key driver of soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, yet their influence on N accumulation within distinct soil organic matter (SOM) fractions remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to elucidate the responses of N accrual in different SOM fractions to contrasting land uses. To achieve this purpose, soil samples were collected from seven representative land uses: forest, pasture, corn plantation, sugarcane plantation, cassava plantation, orchard, and abandoned land. Subsequently, soil samples were fractionated into free particulate SOM (fSOM), occluded light SOM (oSOM), weakly bound form SOM (wSOM), and strongly bound form SOM (sSOM) fractions, and N contents were quantified for each fraction. The results showed pronounced land use effects on both the magnitude and distribution of N among SOM fractions. The forest land use consistently promoted greater N accumulation in fSOM (0.15 g N kg⁻¹ soil), oSOM (0.14 g N kg⁻¹ soil), and wSOM fractions (0.29 g N kg⁻¹ soil), reflecting high organic inputs and low disturbance intensity. The pasture land use exhibited the highest N accumulation in the sSOM fraction (1.01 g N kg⁻¹ soil), indicating enhanced stabilization of N through strong organo-mineral associations. Intensively managed croplands and abandoned land generally displayed lower N storage across SOM fractions. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of land use in regulating N partitioning and stabilization within SOM fractions and underscore the importance of low-disturbance, perennial vegetation systems for improving long-term soil N retention. Full article

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21 pages, 1204 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Classification of Zones with Different Levels of Atmospheric Pollution Through a Set of Optical Features Extracted from Mulberry and Linden Leaves

by Dzheni Karadzhova, Miroslav Vasilev, Petya Veleva and Zlatin Zlatev

Environments 2026, 13(4), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040185 - 26 Mar 2026

This study evaluates the ability of three classification procedures to distinguish areas with different levels of atmospheric pollution, based on biomonitoring carried out by analyzing the color and spectral characteristics of mulberry (Morus L.) and linden (Tilia L.) leaves. Sampling was [...] Read more.

This study evaluates the ability of three classification procedures to distinguish areas with different levels of atmospheric pollution, based on biomonitoring carried out by analyzing the color and spectral characteristics of mulberry (Morus L.) and linden (Tilia L.) leaves. Sampling was carried out in areas that were grouped into four classes according to the concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and gaseous pollutants (TVOC, NOx, SOx, CO, and eCO₂), measured using a specialized multisensor device. A total of 57 informative features were analyzed, representing indices obtained from two color models (RGB and Lab), as well as from VIS and NIR spectral characteristics measured for the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. The data processing methodology includes feature selection using the ReliefF method and a comparative analysis between two approaches to dimensionality reduction—principal components (PC) and latent variables (LV). The results indicate that data reduction using PC provides significantly higher accuracy and better class separability, regardless of the classifier used, compared to LV, where errors exceed 40%. The comparison between classifiers shows a clear superiority of nonlinear models. While linear discriminant analysis demonstrates low efficiency, quadratic discriminant analysis (Q and DQ) and SVM with radial basis function (RBF) achieve high accuracy of class separability, reaching 100% in the SVM-RBF model for both tree species. The study also reveals functional asymmetry: the adaxial side of the leaves is more informative for spectral indices, while the abaxial side is more sensitive to color changes. The results confirm that the combined optical characteristics obtained from the leaf surface of bioindicators form a reliable method for ecological monitoring of air quality in urban areas. Full article

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30 pages, 5479 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydro-Sedimentological Controls on Natural and Anthropogenic Radionuclide Distribution in the Western Black Sea Shelf

by Maria-Emanuela Mihailov, Alina-Daiana Spinu, Alexandru-Cristian Cindescu and Luminita Buga

Environments 2026, 13(4), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040184 - 26 Mar 2026

This study examines the hydro-sedimentological–radioecological controls governing the distribution of natural (K-40, Ra-226, Th-232) and anthropogenic (Cs-137) radionuclides in surface sediments of the western Black Sea shelf. Activity concentrations were determined by high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and radiological indices—including radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external [...] Read more.

This study examines the hydro-sedimentological–radioecological controls governing the distribution of natural (K-40, Ra-226, Th-232) and anthropogenic (Cs-137) radionuclides in surface sediments of the western Black Sea shelf. Activity concentrations were determined by high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and radiological indices—including radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external hazard index (H_ex), and annual effective dose (AED)—were calculated to evaluate environmental safety. All indices remained well below internationally accepted thresholds, confirming the absence of radiological hazard in both coastal and offshore settings. Strong correlations between Ra-226 and Th-232 indicate dominant lithogenic control of natural radionuclides, whereas Cs-137 exhibits geochemical decoupling consistent with its behavior. A significant relationship between the fine-grained sediment fraction (<63 µm) and Cs-137 activity highlights the grain size effect, with offshore depositional zones acting as sediment-focusing areas where Cs-137 and excess Pb-210 co-accumulate under low-energy hydrodynamic conditions. Despite localized offshore enrichment, dose contribution analysis shows that natural radionuclides dominate the absorbed-dose budget, while Cs-137 contributes only marginally. Spatial predictive modeling using Artificial Neural Networks, validated under a Spatial Leave-One-Group-Out framework, yielded moderate generalization capacity (R² = 0.61 for Ra-226; R² = 0.41 for Cs-137), reflecting smoother spatial gradients of lithogenic radionuclides than heterogeneous radiocesium deposition. Furthermore, Machine Learning algorithms provided significant analytical value: a Random Forest (RF) model successfully classified environments (nearshore/shelf/depositional basin) based on distinct radionuclide signatures. At the same time, an optimized Artificial Neural Network (ANN-GA) enabled the nonlinear reconstruction of radiometric–granulometric patterns to identify local anomalies. The results show that radionuclide distributions are primarily structured by sediment provenance, grain size sorting, and hydrodynamic energy gradients rather than ongoing anthropogenic inputs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity)

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18 pages, 14841 KB

Open AccessArticle

Loss of Nutritionally Essential n-3 PUFA in Riverine Benthic Macroinvertebrates Following an Extreme Rainfall Event

by Olesia N. Makhutova and Svetlana P. Shulepina

Environments 2026, 13(4), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040183 - 26 Mar 2026

The Anastasia River (southern Sakhalin Island) is a key salmon spawning ground, where summer storm floods can drastically alter benthic communities that form the diet of fish. This study assessed the impact of heavy rainfall on the benthic macroinvertebrates in the lower reaches [...] Read more.

The Anastasia River (southern Sakhalin Island) is a key salmon spawning ground, where summer storm floods can drastically alter benthic communities that form the diet of fish. This study assessed the impact of heavy rainfall on the benthic macroinvertebrates in the lower reaches of the river by analyzing taxonomic composition, biomass, and fatty acid (FA) profiles of dominant taxa before and after a flood event. A catastrophic decline in biomass was observed (from 35.7 ± 4.4 g m⁻² to 1.74 ± 0.68 g m⁻²), alongside a significant shift in community structure. Crustaceans (dominated by Eogammarus kygi), with a unique FA profile rich in long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), were the primary bearers of high nutritional value. All crustaceans exhibited omnivorous diets, with river crabs (Eriocheir japonica) having a broader spectrum than conspecifics inhabiting the marine littoral zone. Amphipods were key processors of allochthonous matter. The flood caused not only a quantitative but also a severe qualitative reduction in community nutritional value, with the content of physiologically crucial n-3 and n-6 PUFAs dropping by a factor of 25 and 15 on average, respectively. The disproportionately high loss of n-3 PUFAs indicates that the qualitative degradation of food resources by extreme floods may be an underestimated factor limiting the post-flood recovery of fish populations. Full article

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21 pages, 2629 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Chlorella vulgaris as a Biostimulant for Salt and Heat Stress Tolerance in Chenopodium quinoa

by Lucia Giorgetti, Andrea Melchiorre, Laryssa Peres Fabbri, Morena Gabriele and Lorenza Bellani

Environments 2026, 13(4), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040182 - 26 Mar 2026

Recent climate changes worldwide have negatively impacted crop yields, highlighting the urgent need to develop new cultivation strategies to counteract this phenomenon. Our study aimed to analyze the effects of saline (0 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, and 300 mM NaCl) and heat [...] Read more.

Recent climate changes worldwide have negatively impacted crop yields, highlighting the urgent need to develop new cultivation strategies to counteract this phenomenon. Our study aimed to analyze the effects of saline (0 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, and 300 mM NaCl) and heat stress (24 °C and 32 °C) on the physiological parameters of Chenopodium quinoa variety “Regalona,” evaluating the efficacy of the microalgal biostimulant Chlorella vulgaris-like extract (0%, 0.025% and 0.05%). Sprouts grown under these different conditions were assessed for antioxidant content, antioxidant activity, reactive oxygen species, and photosynthetic pigments. The analyses did not reveal significant effects of the two microalgal concentrations on germination percentage or sprout length across the various temperature and salinity conditions. However, antioxidant activity was increased in many experimental trials, especially when the microalgae were combined with salt stress, with the higher biostimulant concentration showing more pronounced effects. Conversely, a temperature of 32 °C negatively impacted the parameters measured. These findings provide a basis for further research aimed at enhancing the antioxidant and nutraceutical properties of plants valuable for human nutrition. Full article

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21 pages, 5693 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Period Inference of Cropland Soil Organic Carbon Based on Its Relationship Patterns with Environmental Factors Incorporating the Seasonal Crop Rotation System

by Baocheng Yu, Zhongfang Yang, Yong Huang and Wei Fang

Environments 2026, 13(4), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040181 - 25 Mar 2026

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator reflecting soil quality and management level. Understanding its spatiotemporal dynamics in cropland is necessary for sustainable land management. Revealing the relationship patterns between SOC (Sampling resolution: 1 km²; analysis resolution: 4 km² [...] Read more.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator reflecting soil quality and management level. Understanding its spatiotemporal dynamics in cropland is necessary for sustainable land management. Revealing the relationship patterns between SOC (Sampling resolution: 1 km²; analysis resolution: 4 km²) and environmental factors in one period allows inferring SOC distribution in unsampled years, partly compensating for temporal data gaps. This study introduces a season-based crop rotation system (Winter wheat in the first season and summer corn in the next) as independent variables in a machine learning model innovatively, enriching variable selection in SOC inference and improving understanding of SOC accumulation. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, characterized by a typical winter wheat–summer corn rotation system, was selected for analysis. The results show that in 2000, the average SOC was relatively low compared with global levels. Climatic variables were negatively correlated with SOC below the 0.8 quantile but positive above it, which corresponds to the upper 20% of the observed range of each climatic variable. Winter-wheat growth is more important on SOC distribution than summer-corn growth (two annual peaks of NDVI and EVI), showing a positive correlation with SOC, while corn showed a weak correlation and became negative above the 0.8 quantile. In the inferred results, the differences between observed and inferred mean values and their confidence intervals were approximately 0.1. This research provides a reference method for evaluating regional-scale SOC distribution patterns under data-limited conditions by integrating environmental factors and crop rotation characteristics. Full article

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25 pages, 2159 KB

Open AccessArticle

LDPE, PP, and PET Microplastics’ Influence on Cd and Cu Behavior in Diverse Soils

by Dimitrios Alexiadis, Evangelia E. Golia, Rafaella Vogia and Jose Navarro-Pedreño

Environments 2026, 13(4), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040180 - 25 Mar 2026

The increasing accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils necessitates a better understanding of their effects on soil chemistry and trace element behavior. This study examined the influence of three MPs—low-density poly(ethylene) (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)—on cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) [...] Read more.

The increasing accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils necessitates a better understanding of their effects on soil chemistry and trace element behavior. This study examined the influence of three MPs—low-density poly(ethylene) (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)—on cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) mobility in four clayey–sandy soils with similar organic matter content but differing pH, representing acidic and alkaline terrestrial matrices. Soils were incubated with 1% (w/w) MPs at 60% water-holding capacity for 30 and 90 days. Total Cd and Cu concentrations remained largely unaffected; however, time-dependent changes in metal availability and distribution were observed. Extractability (CaCl₂ and DTPA), sequential BCR fractionation, and environmental risk indices (CF, Igeo, RAC, MF, and PLI) indicated slight increases in Cd availability after 30 days, which became more pronounced after 90 days, particularly in acidic soils (pH 5.5). The magnitude of the MP effect followed the trend PET > PP > LDPE in all cases. Among the two target metals, Cd exhibited substantially higher mobility than Cu, as reflected by RAC and MF values. Specifically, Cd RAC (6–35%) and Cd MF (28–63%) values were considerably higher than those of Cu (1.1–3.8% and 15–28%, respectively). Overall, although the general pollution indices remained relatively stable, MPs altered the extractability and geochemical partitioning of the examined heavy metals—particularly Cd—indicating their potential role as vectors in soil environments. These results demonstrate that incubation time, polymer type, and soil pH jointly regulate MP-induced change in Cd and Cu mobility, with important implications for soil ecosystem risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Occurrence, Mobility, Transport, and Fate of Contaminants in Surface and Subsurface Environments)

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Graphical abstract

17 pages, 1229 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Tutorial on Using Untargeted Metabolomics Data of Human Excreta to Investigate Drug Excretion and Wastewater Entry

by Shihang Han, Marieke A. J. Hof, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Gérard Hopfgartner, Eelko Hak and Frank Klont

Environments 2026, 13(4), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040179 - 24 Mar 2026

Environmental scientists are increasingly monitoring therapeutic drugs and their metabolites in water systems, requiring knowledge of human drug metabolism and excretion. Many published studies, however, rely on data from small-scale human metabolism trials, typically involving around six (healthy, young, male) volunteers. Their generalizability [...] Read more.

Environmental scientists are increasingly monitoring therapeutic drugs and their metabolites in water systems, requiring knowledge of human drug metabolism and excretion. Many published studies, however, rely on data from small-scale human metabolism trials, typically involving around six (healthy, young, male) volunteers. Their generalizability to real-world drug users may be limited, potentially biasing environmental monitoring efforts. Here, we leveraged untargeted LC-SWATH/MS pharmacometabolomics data from 283 potential living kidney donors and 688 kidney transplant recipients to characterize the 24 h urinary excretion profiles of two widely used diuretics frequently monitored in wastewater, hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide. Both are expected to be excreted largely unchanged, which our analyses confirmed. For hydrochlorothiazide, however, we also identified (using reference standards) the previously underreported transformation products chlorothiazide and salamide. These findings highlight the relevance and capability of using untargeted metabolomics data from human excreta to provide insights from large, real-world cohorts into which chemicals enter wastewater systems, with both drugs serving as exemplary case studies for analogous analyses of other drugs. In particular, the qualitative information obtained (e.g., accurate mass, retention time, fragment spectra) may inform targeted biomonitoring and highlight cases where consensus-based estimates of excreted drug or metabolite fractions are overestimated. Full article

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17 pages, 1577 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biogeochemical Processes Including Oxygen Dynamics in a Deep Lake During the Spring Thermal Bar: A Numerical Experiment

by Bair Tsydenov, Andrey Bart, Dmitriy Degi, Nikita Trunov and Vladislava Churuksaeva

Environments 2026, 13(4), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040178 - 24 Mar 2026

Biogeochemical processes, including the oxygen cycle, were investigated in Lake Baikal during the spring thermal bar using a coupled numerical model that takes into account the intraday variability of atmospheric parameters and contains the following variables: nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, oxygen, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, [...] Read more.

Biogeochemical processes, including the oxygen cycle, were investigated in Lake Baikal during the spring thermal bar using a coupled numerical model that takes into account the intraday variability of atmospheric parameters and contains the following variables: nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, oxygen, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and small and large detritus. Nitrification, photosynthesis, remineralization, and respiration processes describe the biochemical dynamics of oxygen in the model. As a study area, the deep-water cross-section of Lake Baikal, Boldakov River–Maloye More Strait, was considered using meteorological data for June 2024 at the lake surface. Numerical results show that the thermal bar can contribute to the transport of dissolved oxygen and phyto- and zooplankton to the deeper layers of the lake. Full article

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26 pages, 3374 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sloping Terrain May Increase Grazing Pressure on Rangelands: Evidence from Herbivore Jaw Activity and Locomotion

by Eugene David Ungar, Maya Zahavi, Hillary Voet, Shilo Navon, Aharon Bellalu and Tal Svoray

Environments 2026, 13(3), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030177 - 23 Mar 2026

A deeper understanding of the relationships between the local and landscape scales in herbivore foraging should place the management of rangeland production systems on a firmer footing. The objective was to test whether local-scale landscape features modulate the coupling between locomotion and eating, [...] Read more.

A deeper understanding of the relationships between the local and landscape scales in herbivore foraging should place the management of rangeland production systems on a firmer footing. The objective was to test whether local-scale landscape features modulate the coupling between locomotion and eating, thereby altering the pattern of landscape-scale grazing pressure. We studied shepherded small-ruminant herds on hilly semiarid rangeland by integrating acoustic monitoring to detect jaw movements, GPS to track location and movement, and GIS to link location to landscape attributes. Based on 69 one-day foraging routes, minutely rate of jaw movement (RJM) as a function of time-into-foraging-route showed a unimodal concave shape but did not respond to path angle. Minutely movement velocity responded convexly to time-into-foraging-route, and the quadratic term for path angle was negative and highly significant. The response to path angle was concave and symmetrical for uphill and downhill travel. Based on the empirical evidence that increasing path angle reduces velocity but not RJM and a set of reasonable associated assumptions, it is inferred that more jaw movements are performed per unit area scanned by the animal. It is further inferred abductively that more bites are removed per unit area and that more mass is removed per unit area, and hence, grazing pressure is more intense on sloping terrain than on level areas. For a given duration of foraging route, an increase in density of bite placement at the local behavioral scale implies a contraction in the surface area of the daily herd footprint at the landscape scale. This has implications for how carrying capacity of such areas should be defined. Full article

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24 pages, 2234 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Toward Cleaner and Smarter Ports: Systematic Review of Water Monitoring and Pollution Alert Technologies from Global Patents (TRL4–5) and Scientific Analyses (TRL 3)

by Cristina M. Quintella, Nuno Borges, Ricardo Salgado and Ana M. A. T. Mata

Environments 2026, 13(3), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030176 - 23 Mar 2026

This systematic review evaluates recent scientific and technological advances in water quality monitoring and pollution alarms for ports, based on records retrieved from seven databases following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 414 documents were screened, resulting in 141 articles (TRL 3) and [...] Read more.

This systematic review evaluates recent scientific and technological advances in water quality monitoring and pollution alarms for ports, based on records retrieved from seven databases following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 414 documents were screened, resulting in 141 articles (TRL 3) and 56 patents (TRL 4–5). Bibliometric, patentometric, and thematic analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix and ORBIT^®. Results show sustained growth in both academic and technological outputs, with a patent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 32%, compared with 13% for scientific publications, indicating accelerated translation from research to innovation. The conversion rate from scientific research to patenting increased from 14% (2010–2015) to 47% (2020–2023). Analysis of patent legal status reveals that 52% of patent families remain valid (48% granted; 4% pending), while 33% are lapsed, 13% revoked, and 2% expired, reflecting the dynamic and emerging character of the field. Technological ownership is highly concentrated, with China accounting for nearly all active patents, whereas scientific production is more geographically distributed. Thematic analysis identifies four main scientific clusters: environmental monitoring, chemical pollutants, seashore hazards, and eutrophication. The main technological domains of the patents are analysis of biological materials, control, and environmental technologies. Emerging areas of focus at TRL 3 and TRL 4–5 include microplastics, climate-change impacts, aquaculture risks, real-time sensing, IoT-enabled platforms, machine-learning analytics, autonomous monitoring systems, and bioindicator-based early-warning tools. This review provides a quantitative roadmap to support sustainable port operations, coastal ecosystem protection, and progress toward multiple synergistic United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

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23 pages, 3577 KB

Open AccessArticle

Endophyte-Assisted Phytoremediation by the Halophyte Halocnemum strobilaceum Coping with Extreme Salinity and Hydrocarbon Pollution

by Anton Shiriaev, Andrea Scartazza, Daniela Di Baccio, Elisabetta Franchi, Ilaria Pietrini, Danilo Fusini, Alessia Bastianoni, Irene Rosellini, Gianniantonio Petruzzelli, Francesca Pedron and Meri Barbafieri

Environments 2026, 13(3), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030175 - 23 Mar 2026

Hypersaline waters contaminated with crude oil represent a major obstacle for phytoremediation, as few plant species tolerate both high salinity and hydrocarbon toxicity. In this study, the halophyte Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pallas) M. Bieb. was grown hydroponically in hypersaline solutions (50 and 80 g [...] Read more.

Hypersaline waters contaminated with crude oil represent a major obstacle for phytoremediation, as few plant species tolerate both high salinity and hydrocarbon toxicity. In this study, the halophyte Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pallas) M. Bieb. was grown hydroponically in hypersaline solutions (50 and 80 g L⁻¹ NaCl) containing crude oil (600 mg L⁻¹). The plant was inoculated with endophytic bacteria isolated in a previous step from its root and selected for salt tolerance and hydrocarbon-degrading potential. The plant behaviour was assessed through growth and photosynthetic performance, while the degradation of hydrocarbons (C < 12 and C > 12) was monitored over time. At 50 g L⁻¹ NaCl, crude oil reduced the plant growth by 60%, but inoculation with endophytic bacteria mitigated this decline, demonstrating their positive influence under combined salt and hydrocarbon stress. At 80 g L⁻¹ NaCl, neither plant biomass nor chlorophyll fluorescence was significantly affected by crude oil, with or without bacterial inoculation, consistent with the strong intrinsic salt tolerance of H. strobilaceum, which likely buffered additional stress inputs. Metagenomic analyses revealed distinct root-associated microbial communities under different treatments, suggesting synergistic plant–microbe interactions that enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and metabolic stability. The presence of endophytes accelerated the degradation of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C10–C40) at both salinity levels. These findings highlight the potential of endophytic bacteria to enhance resilience in H. strobilaceum and its phytoremediation capacity, offering a promising nature-based approach for the sustainable treatment of highly saline, crude oil-contaminated industrial waters. Full article

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17 pages, 7207 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions Using Peach Stone-Derived Activated Carbons

by Ivanka Stoycheva, Bilyana Petrova, Angelina Kosateva, Boyko Tsyntsarski, Nartzislav Petrov, Pavlina Dolashka and Bogdan Ranguelov

Environments 2026, 13(3), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030174 - 22 Mar 2026

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have become a global environmental concern due to their extreme persistence and toxicity. In this study, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was removed from aqueous solutions using porous carbon adsorbents synthesized from peach stones. The novelty of this work lies [...] Read more.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have become a global environmental concern due to their extreme persistence and toxicity. In this study, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was removed from aqueous solutions using porous carbon adsorbents synthesized from peach stones. The novelty of this work lies in the development of a procedure for obtaining a suitable carbon adsorbent, whose properties are consistent with the properties of the adsorbate. An appropriate activation was used, allowing the preparation of an adsorbent with a highly developed porous texture and a large surface area, which is a prerequisite for a significant adsorption capacity of the obtained adsorbents towards PFOA. Both carbon adsorbents obtained from peach pits, with clearly different surface chemistry—KOH-activated carbon (AC_KOH) and its nitric acid-oxidized derivative (AC_HNO3)—for PFOA adsorption were compared, along with the clarification of the relationship between the graphitic structure, pore development, surface functionality and adsorption characteristics. The first adsorbent was produced by chemical activation with KOH at 800 °C, while the second was obtained by oxidative modification of the activated sample with 12% HNO₃. Characterization by Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and nitrogen physisorption revealed a highly graphitized structure (ID/IG = 0.86) and well-developed porosity. Adsorption experiments were carried out at PFOA concentrations from 8 to 40 µmol/L using a spectrophotometric method based on methylene blue ion-pair extraction into chloroform. The results showed that AC_KOH exhibited a high maximum adsorption capacity of 1660 µmol/g (687.36 mg/g) and followed the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption. In contrast, AC_HNO3 showed a significantly lower adsorption capacity of 398.36 µmol/g (164.95 mg/g), which was attributed to electrostatic repulsion caused by acidic oxygen-containing surface groups. These findings demonstrate that peach stone-derived activated carbon is a promising, sustainable, and efficient adsorbent for the removal of PFOA from water. Full article

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20 pages, 3090 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Land-Use Planning on Lifestyle Carbon Footprints

by Teemu Jama, Jukka Heinonen and Henrikki Tenkanen

Environments 2026, 13(3), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030173 - 20 Mar 2026

Research on Consumption-Based Carbon Footprints has recognised that lifestyles change significantly along the urban–rural continuum, with urban typically manifesting as an increase in the footprint of consumption while rural areas have a higher footprint for vehicle usage. However, there is limited research on [...] Read more.

Research on Consumption-Based Carbon Footprints has recognised that lifestyles change significantly along the urban–rural continuum, with urban typically manifesting as an increase in the footprint of consumption while rural areas have a higher footprint for vehicle usage. However, there is limited research on the extent to which land-use patterns defined by urban plans influence these outcomes. To fill this lack, we controlled for household income and housing type and measured Spearman and Pearson partial correlations between the coverage of different zoning land-use types in the neighbourhoods and the footprints of different subdomains: Goods and services, Leisure travel, Vehicle, and Total footprint. These domains are central to both modern lifestyles and urban planning with related objectives. We found out that high Goods and Services and Leisure travel footprints do align with the urban land-use types, while Vehicle footprints show inverted results. However, the mirrored impact for higher Vehicle and Total footprint is not recognised in exurban areas, while the impact on Goods and services and Leisure travel is inverted. These findings diverge from the common per capita analysis of supply-side emissions used to analyse zoning impacts and call for more detailed research on the net climate impacts of the built environment designated with land-use plans. Full article

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13 pages, 853 KB

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Long-Term Effect of Oral Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium on Gastrointestinal Cancer Mortality—An Ecological Study in Greece

by Konstantinos Katsas, Aristotelis Bamias, Theodora Psaltopoulou and Konstantinos Triantafyllou

Environments 2026, 13(3), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030172 - 19 Mar 2026

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic trace element. While carcinogenicity through inhalation is well-established, gastrointestinal (GI) carcinogenicity via oral ingestion remains contentious. This study aimed to measure GI cancer mortality at Oinofyta, Greece, where the toxic waste of industries was [...] Read more.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic trace element. While carcinogenicity through inhalation is well-established, gastrointestinal (GI) carcinogenicity via oral ingestion remains contentious. This study aimed to measure GI cancer mortality at Oinofyta, Greece, where the toxic waste of industries was discarded in the village’s water source for a long time. An ecological study was carried out at the Oinofyta municipal unit, where the primary water supply had been contaminated with Cr(VI) for approximately three decades. Mortality data of all residents of Oinofyta for the period 2000–2021 were obtained from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, and causes of death were classified according to the ICD-10. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were computed, stratified by five-year age groups, biological sex, and calendar year, using the population of the entire Voiotia regional unit as the reference population. A higher all GI cancer SMR was observed during the second decade (SMR = 1.44; 95%CI = 1.03, 1.95), but not the first (SMR = 0.98; 95%CI = 0.64, 1.44). Overall, the SMR was evidently higher for males (SMR = 1.35; 95%CI = 1.0, 1.8), but not for females (SMR = 0.97; 95%CI = 0.6, 1.49). A borderline higher SMR was also observed for colorectal cancer in males (SMR = 1.63; 95%CI = 0.93, 2.65; p = 0.08). Additionally, the SMR for all GI cancers demonstrated a significant increasing trend from 2000–2009 to 2010–2021 (0.98; 95%CI = 0.64, 1.44 to 1.44; 95%CI = 1.03, 1.95). This ecological study presents a population-level association between Cr(VI)-contaminated drinking water with certain GI cancers, suggesting further research for etiological associations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Pollution Exposure and Its Human Health Risks)

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21 pages, 1637 KB

Open AccessArticle

Barriers to Solar Photovoltaic Adoption: Findings from Household Interviews in Four Towns in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

by Uzziah Mutumbi, Gladman Thondhlana and Sheunesu Ruwanza

Environments 2026, 13(3), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030171 - 19 Mar 2026

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can provide a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel energy, but the uptake of solar PV systems is often constrained by perceived and actual barriers. Despite South Africa’s very high solar generation potential, solar PV adoption remains low, [...] Read more.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can provide a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel energy, but the uptake of solar PV systems is often constrained by perceived and actual barriers. Despite South Africa’s very high solar generation potential, solar PV adoption remains low, accounting for less than 10% of the country’s energy mix. Central to renewable energy debates is making sure that the transition is equitable, affordable, and inclusive. Yet, despite high levels of inequality, there is no empirical standing on the factors hindering solar PV adoption among a socially differentiated household gradient. Using household interviews, the study investigated barriers to solar PV adoption across an income gradient in four towns located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Results showed that significantly more high-income (82%) than low-income (63%) households had considered solar PV adoption, primarily to mitigate power cuts (89%). Both income groups were constrained by financial, institutional, and social barriers, but low-income households were disproportionately affected. While 86% of high-income households cited initial financial constraints, low-income households were nearly twice as likely to worry about high maintenance costs (48% vs. 26%) and system unfamiliarity (36% vs. 14%). High-income respondents were more concerned with institutional and technical barriers, such as a lack of supportive policies and grid-feed difficulties. Nearly all (98%) low-income households lacked knowledge regarding solar PV system capacity, compared to 60% for high-income households. Altogether, the results highlight that heterogeneity matters in our understanding of barriers to solar PV adoption and should be a key consideration in designing differentiated approaches to address barriers and ensure equity in renewable energy adoption. Full article

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14 pages, 516 KB

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Different Approaches, Same Indication: Using Plants as a Potentially Valuable Alternative to Assess the Genotoxicity of Urban Fine Particulate Matter

by Carlotta Alias, Claudia Zani, Ilaria Zerbini and Donatella Feretti

Environments 2026, 13(3), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030170 - 19 Mar 2026

The objective of this study was to use plant models, Allium cepa and Lepidium sativum, to assess the genotoxic effects of the urban particulate matter (PM) collected in a Northern Italian town. Aqueous extracts of different particle sizes (PM_10–3, PM [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to use plant models, Allium cepa and Lepidium sativum, to assess the genotoxic effects of the urban particulate matter (PM) collected in a Northern Italian town. Aqueous extracts of different particle sizes (PM_10–3, PM_3–0.5, PM_0.5) were tested alongside the organic extracts through the standard Ames test. The organic particulate matter extracts were subjected to mutagenicity testing in the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 (without and with metabolic activation), whereas the aqueous extracts were evaluated for genotoxicity in the emerging seedlings of L. sativum and in the root tips of A. cepa bulbs using the comet test to detect the primary DNA damage. Furthermore, the micronuclei frequency was assessed in the bulbs of A. cepa. As expected, the organic extracts of PM_3–0.5 and PM_0.5 induced point mutations in bacteria. The aqueous extracts of the finest fractions caused a significant increase in genotoxic damage in both plant models. These findings indicate that the two plant models (L. sativum seeds and A. cepa bulbs) are able to detect the genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of air pollutants, with many potential advantages as screening-level tools to complement Ames testing for an easier assessment of urban air quality in terms of DNA toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Quality Assessment: Environmental Impacts, Risks and Human Health Hazards)

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33 pages, 5735 KB

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Life Cycle and Circularity: The Assessment of Conventional and Additive Manufacturing Injection Molds

by Joana Matos, Eleonora Caneve, Antonio Silva and Paulo Pedrosa

Environments 2026, 13(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030169 - 19 Mar 2026

The transition to a circular economy requires assessment tools that capture not only the environmental and economic performance of products but also their circular design, functionality, and durability. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) are widely used, they alone [...] Read more.

The transition to a circular economy requires assessment tools that capture not only the environmental and economic performance of products but also their circular design, functionality, and durability. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) are widely used, they alone do not capture modularity, reparability, reuse potential, or product lifespan. This study introduces a novel, integrated framework combining LCA, LCC, and product-level circularity indicators to provide a holistic evaluation of sustainability and circularity. In this study, two types of injection molds for plastic part production are compared: a conventionally manufactured mold and an additively manufactured metal mold produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) technology. The comparison integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and a set of micro-circularity indicators, including the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), Recycling Desirability Index (RDI), circular design guidelines (CDG), Disassembly Effort Index (DEI), longevity indicator (LI), and Circular Economy Indicator Prototype (CEIP). Results show that the AM mold exhibits lower environmental impacts across almost all categories, while its slightly higher initial cost is largely offset by reduced indirect costs over the product lifecycle. Micro-circularity indicators reveal that the AM mold achieves higher material circularity and better circular design performance (MCI, CDG, CEIP) but shows only minor improvements in disassembly and recyclability (DEI, RDI) and lower longevity (LI) compared to the conventional mold, highlighting potential limitations for remanufacturing and end-of-life recovery. The novelty of this study lies in the integrated application of LCA, LCC, and multiple micro-circularity indicators, providing an operational framework for evaluating circular design, reparability, and durability in additive manufacturing and enabling informed, holistic decision-making for truly circular products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Waste Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Opportunities)

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19 pages, 2326 KB

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Application of Bio-Absorbent Polymer from Almond Industry By-Products on Soil: A First Approach

by Ana T. Caeiro, Ricardo A. Costa, Paula Alvarenga, Rosalina Marão, Albino Bento, Nuno Saraiva, Francisco Marques, Jorge Rebelo, André Encarnação, Edmundo Marques, Carlos Pereira and Jorge Gominho

Environments 2026, 13(3), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13030168 - 18 Mar 2026

Almond hulls and shells are abundant by-products of the almond industry that could be valorized as bio-based absorbent polymers (BAP), offering a promising alternative to synthetic materials to improve water management in the agricultural setting. In this study, almond hulls and shells were [...] Read more.

Almond hulls and shells are abundant by-products of the almond industry that could be valorized as bio-based absorbent polymers (BAP), offering a promising alternative to synthetic materials to improve water management in the agricultural setting. In this study, almond hulls and shells were pelletized in different proportions to assess pelletization feasibility and physical properties, followed by industrial-scale production of an industrialized formulation (80% hulls, 20% shells). Ecotoxicological risk was assessed using direct bioassays with whole pellets (germination with Lactuca sativa and Zea mays; acute toxicity with Eisenia fetida) and indirect bioassays with pellet water extracts (germination with L. sativa, immobilization with Daphnia magna, and bioluminescence inhibition with Vibrio fischeri). Field trials were conducted in an irrigated almond orchard to evaluate soil moisture dynamics and plant water status under different BAP application rates and irrigation regimes. Pelletization increased the soil’s water-holding capacity in the laboratory test and soil moisture in the field, even under reduced irrigation. However, ecotoxicological assays revealed significant to high acute toxicity at higher concentrations, depending on the organism and exposure pathway. Almond hull and shell pellets show potential to improve soil water retention and reduce irrigation demand but require cautious application and further testing to mitigate ecotoxicological risks. Full article

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