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Toxics
Special Issues
Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment
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Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 7894

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guangyi Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Interests: metal stable isotopes; isotope fractionation mechanism; biogeochemical cycles; heavy metals; krast; trace metal health risks
Prof. Dr. Peng Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental, Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: geochemical modeling; contaminant transport; heavy metal behavior; site remediation; synchrotron analysis; hydrogeological controls

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the distribution patterns, transport mechanisms, and environmental behavior of trace metals across diverse environmental matrices, including aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. We invite contributions addressing the following topics: (1) advanced detection methods for trace metals (e.g., ICP-MS and synchrotron-based techniques) in water, soil, sediments, and biota; (2) drivers of spatial-temporal dynamics (e.g., anthropogenic emissions, weathering, and climate change); (3) critical interfacial processes governing metal mobility, such as adsorption–desorption, redox transformations, and organic complexation; (4) iboavailability, trophic transfer, and ecotoxicological impacts; (5) emerging risks from technology-critical elements (e.g., rare earths and nanoparticles) and their interactions with coexisting pollutants. Studies integrating field observations, experimental simulations, and predictive modeling (e.g., machine learning and geochemical modeling) are encouraged. This Special Issue aims to deepen mechanistic understandings of trace metal cycling and support the developemnt of evidence-based strategies for environmental monitoring, remediation, and policy development.

Dr. Guangyi Sun
Prof. Dr. Peng Liu
Guest Editors

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

  • trace metal dynamics
  • cross-media transport
  • bioavailability
  • environmental speciation
  • ecotoxicological risk
  • anthropogenic impact

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 1904 KB  
Article
Environmental Drivers and Explainable Modeling to Resolve Trace Metal Dynamics in a Lotic System
by Akasya Topçu, Dilara Gerdan Koç, İlknur Meriç Turgut and Serkan Taşdemir
Toxics 2026, 14(3), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030215 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 673
Abstract
Trace metal contamination in lotic freshwater systems exhibits pronounced heterogeneity arising from coupled hydrological connectivity, geochemical partitioning, and anthropogenic forcing, complicating exposure characterization in urban and peri-urban catchments. Addressing this complexity requires integrative analytical approaches capable of deciphering system-level controls, prompting an investigation [...] Read more.
Trace metal contamination in lotic freshwater systems exhibits pronounced heterogeneity arising from coupled hydrological connectivity, geochemical partitioning, and anthropogenic forcing, complicating exposure characterization in urban and peri-urban catchments. Addressing this complexity requires integrative analytical approaches capable of deciphering system-level controls, prompting an investigation of the environmental structuring and governing controls of dissolved trace metal signatures in a human-impacted stream using a system-oriented computational framework. To capture temporal variability associated with seasonal hydrological contrasts and heterogeneous pollution inputs, a station-based, season-resolved sampling strategy was implemented during the wet and dry seasons. Physicochemical gradients (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity), inorganic nitrogen species (NH3, NO2−, and NO3−), and phosphorus fractions (total phosphorus, TP; total orthophosphate, TOP; soluble reactive P, SRP) were jointly analyzed with dissolved concentrations of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). Regression-based machine learning models were used to quantify element-specific sensitivities to hydrochemical drivers under wet–dry periods and to identify optimal predictive configurations. Predictive performance was consistently high for trace metals (R2 generally >0.95), with Random Forest providing the best accuracy for Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg, whereas Cu was most reliably captured by an XGBoost tree ensemble (R2 = 0.994). Explainability analyses revealed heterogeneous, metal-specific control regimes: Cr was primarily driven by temperature, Ni by NO2− and redox-sensitive conditions, Cd by NH3 and temperature, and As by Hg in combination with phosphorus-related and redox-linked proxies, while Pb showed comparatively lower predictability relative to other metals. Trace metal distributions are therefore structured primarily by differential environmental sensitivity rather than uniform source-driven inputs, reinforcing the need for integrative computational frameworks when interpreting freshwater contamination under intensifying anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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18 pages, 503 KB  
Article
Bioaccessibility of Lead and Arsenic in Mining Waste and Mining-Affected Soils
by Valérie Cappuyns and Lisa Dries
Toxics 2026, 14(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14020114 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 539
Abstract
In vitro bioaccessibility tests are used to estimate the release of contaminants from environmental samples during simulated digestion, making them available for intestinal absorption. In most cases, the samples are fine-grained materials with varying chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties, but it is not [...] Read more.
In vitro bioaccessibility tests are used to estimate the release of contaminants from environmental samples during simulated digestion, making them available for intestinal absorption. In most cases, the samples are fine-grained materials with varying chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties, but it is not always clear how these properties influence the bioaccessibility of elements. The present study focusses on the bioaccessibility of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) in mining waste and mining-affected soils. From the literature, data from mining waste and mining-affected soil samples were used to investigate the relation between chemical (element composition, pH, organic carbon content), physical (grain size distribution), and mineralogical properties of the samples and the gastric and intestinal bioaccessibility of Pb and As. Mean gastric As bioaccessibility was significantly lower in acidic samples than neutral and alkaline samples. A significant difference was also found between As and Pb bioaccessibility in mining residues and mining-affected soil samples. Overall, total Pb an As concentrations and pH were the most significant predictors of Pb and As bioaccessibility. Due to the lack of (quantitative) mineralogical data in many papers, it was not possible to make precise predictions of As and Pb bioaccessibility based on mineralogical sample composition. Despite the challenging nature of quantitative mineralogical characterization, it can contribute to a more precise estimation of the bioavailability of Pb and As in mining waste. Given their significant impact on the bioavailability of metal(loid)s, pH and the (quantitative) mineralogical sample composition should be more systematically determined and reported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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17 pages, 2531 KB  
Article
Can Soil Covers Shield Farmland? Assessing Cadmium Migration Control from Coal Gangue Using a Multi-Compartment Approach
by Hanbing Liu, Yao Feng, Chenning Deng, Zexin He, Huading Shi, Su Wang, Minghui Xie and Xu Liu
Toxics 2025, 13(9), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13090717 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 794
Abstract
Potentially toxic element pollution caused by coal mining activities, especially the accumulation of cadmium, has become a major threat to the global environment and health. Long-term mining activities in China, a major coal consumer, caused a large accumulation of coal gangue. Gangue weathering [...] Read more.
Potentially toxic element pollution caused by coal mining activities, especially the accumulation of cadmium, has become a major threat to the global environment and health. Long-term mining activities in China, a major coal consumer, caused a large accumulation of coal gangue. Gangue weathering and leaching release Cd, which threatens the ecological safety of the surrounding soil and water bodies. Although the government has implemented ecological restoration projects in the mining areas, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation of pollution control of downstream farmlands. For this study, remote sensing analyses of fractional vegetation coverage (FVC), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (EI) data, as well as the pollution characteristics and ecological risks of Cd, were evaluated for a coal mining area in Jiangxi Province. Coal gangue, restoration cover soil, downstream farmland soil, irrigation water, and sediment samples were used in the analyses. After restoration, the Cd concentration in the mining cover soil (0.23 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of the coal gangue (1.18 mg/kg), while the Cd concentration in the downstream farmland soil (0.44 mg/kg) was roughly an average of the two. The geo-accumulation index indicates that the farmland soil is mainly unpolluted (with an average Igeo of −0.25). However, some points have reached the level of no pollution to moderate pollution. Coal gangue poses a relatively high ecological risk (with an average EI of 118), while cover soil and farmland soil pose low risks (with an average EI of 22.5 and 39.86, respectively). The restoration project significantly reduced the Cd input in the downstream farmlands. The study revealed the effective blocking of external soil cover on Cd migration, providing a key scientific basis for the optimization of ecological restoration strategy and risk prevention and control in similar mining areas worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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22 pages, 6926 KB  
Article
Exploring Heavy Metals Exposure in Urban Green Zones of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece): Risks to Soil and People’s Health
by Ioannis Papadopoulos, Evangelia E. Golia, Ourania-Despoina Kantzou, Sotiria G. Papadimou and Anna Bourliva
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080632 - 27 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4021
Abstract
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential [...] Read more.
This study investigates the heavy metal contamination in urban and peri-urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece, over a two-year period (2023–2024). A total of 208 composite soil samples were systematically collected from 52 sites representing diverse land uses, including high-traffic roadsides, industrial zones, residential neighborhoods, parks, and mixed-use areas, with sampling conducted both after the wet (winter) and dry (summer) seasons. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, texture, organic matter, and calcium carbonate content) were analyzed alongside the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. A pollution assessment employed the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (Cf), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), revealing variable contamination levels across the city, with certain hotspots exhibiting a considerable to very high ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and HCA) identified distinct anthropogenic and geogenic sources of heavy metals. Health risk assessments, based on USEPA models, evaluated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for both adults and children via ingestion and dermal contact pathways. The results indicate that while most sites present low to moderate health risks, specific locations, particularly near major transport and industrial areas, pose elevated risks, especially for children. The findings underscore the need for targeted monitoring and remediation strategies to mitigate the ecological and human health risks associated with urban soil pollution in Thessaloniki. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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16 pages, 3177 KB  
Article
Cadmium as the Critical Limiting Factor in the Co-Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Fly Ash in Cement Kilns: Implications for Three-Stage Water Washing Efficiency and Safe Dosage Control
by Zhonggen Li, Qingfeng Wang, Li Tang, Liangliang Yang and Guangyi Sun
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070593 - 15 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1333
Abstract
The co-disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) in cement kilns is an effective method for managing incineration by-products in China. However, the presence of heavy metals in MSWI-FA raises environmental concerns. This study analyzed the Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, [...] Read more.
The co-disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) in cement kilns is an effective method for managing incineration by-products in China. However, the presence of heavy metals in MSWI-FA raises environmental concerns. This study analyzed the Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni concentrations in MSWI-FA from 11 representative facilities across China and assessed the efficacy of a three-stage water washing process for Cl and heavy metal removal. The results revealed significant regional variations in heavy metal content that were strongly correlated with surface soil levels, with Zn, Pb, and Cu exhibiting the highest concentrations. Elemental correlations, such as Cu-Pb and Zn-Cd synergies and Cd-Ni antagonism, suggest common waste sources and temperature-dependent volatilization during incineration. The washing process (solid–liquid ratio = 1:10) achieved 97.1 ± 2.0% Cl removal, reducing residual Cl to 0.45 ± 0.32%, but demonstrated limited heavy metal elimination (10.28–19.38% efficiency), resulting in elevated concentrations (32.5–60.8% increase) due to 43.4 ± 9.2% mass loss. Notably, the washing effluents exceeded municipal wastewater discharge limits by up to 52-fold for Pb and 38-fold for Cd, underscoring the need for advanced effluent treatment. To mitigate environmental risks, the addition of washed MSWI-FA in cement kilns should be restricted to ≤0.5%, with Cd content prioritized in pre-disposal assessments. This study provides actionable insights for optimizing MSWI-FA co-processing while ensuring compliance with ecological safety standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Distribution and Behavior of Trace Metals in the Environment)
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