Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals and Microplastics in Soil
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil Conservation and Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 1744
Special Issue Editors
Interests: heavy metals; fate and transport assessment; geochemical modeling; stabilization and solidification; waste management
Interests: heavy metals stabilization and solidification; catalytic destruction of organic pollutants; heavy metals and organic pollutants adsorption; waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Soil is a crucial component of the ecosystem that provides food, shelter, and nutrients to various living organisms. However, with the increasing industrialization and urbanization, soil contamination by heavy metals and microplastics has become a significant concern worldwide. Heavy metals and microplastics can affect soil microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and plant growth, leading to reduced crop yields and food safety concerns. Moreover, these pollutants can accumulate in the food chain, leading to adverse health effects on animals and humans. Research on the toxic effects of heavy metals and microplastics in soil is vital to understand the sources of contamination, the mechanisms of toxicity, and the potential risk to the environment and human health. The outcomes of this research area are crucial for developing effective strategies for soil remediation and sustainable management.
While there has been a significant amount of research on the toxic effects of heavy metals and microplastics in soil, there are still many knowledge gaps that need to be addressed, e.g., synergistic toxicity of heavy metals and microplastics in soil, standardization in methods used to measure microplastics in soil, the effects of heavy metals and microplastics on different soil types, long-term effects of these contaminants on soil health, effective and feasible methods for the remediation of contaminated soils, etc. The aim of this special issue is to bring together the latest research exploring the relationship between human activities and soil contamination, the mechanisms of heavy metals and microplastics toxicity, and the potential solutions to mitigate soil contamination. Through this special issue, we hope to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers to share their latest findings, exchange ideas, and propose new strategies to mitigate soil pollution and promote sustainable development.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:
- Sources, pathways, and fate of heavy metals and microplastics in soil
- Heavy metals and microplastics in urban and industrialized areas
- Advances in analytical methods for detecting and quantifying heavy metals and microplastics in soil
- Toxicity mechanisms of heavy metals and microplastics in soil organisms
- The influence of heavy metals and microplastics on soil structure and function
- Impacts of heavy metals and microplastics on soil fertility and plant growth
- Ecotoxicology and risk assessment of heavy metals and microplastics in soil
- Remediation technologies for heavy metal and microplastic contaminated soil
- Soil microorganisms and their role in heavy metal and microplastic detoxification
- Biodegradation and bioremediation of microplastics in soil
We believe that this special issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the toxic effects of heavy metals and microplastics in soil. We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Zhiliang Chen
Dr. Xiaoqing Lin
Dr. Lei Li
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 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
- heavy metals
- microplastics
- soil pollution
- ecotoxicology
- remediation technologies
- soil microorganisms
- risk assessment
- biodegradation
- bioremediation
- sustainable development
