Ecotoxicology of Trace Elements on Ecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental toxicology, particularly concerning trace elements such as mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se), has profound implications for ecosystem health and biodiversity. This Special Issue aims to bring together interdisciplinary research that explores the biochemical and ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It focuses on the interface of toxicology, biochemistry, and ecology to better understand how toxic elements disrupt biological systems and ecological balance.

By studying bioaccumulation in plants and animals, researchers can uncover the mechanisms through which trace metals impact the antioxidant systems in wildlife and influence ecosystem dynamics. This Special Issue also encourages research into novel biotechnological solutions and conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of heavy metals on the environment.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions in areas including but not limited to the following:

• Ecological Toxicology: The effects of trace elements on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, focusing on bioaccumulation, toxicity thresholds, and species-specific responses.
• Biochemistry of Contaminants: The biochemical pathways affected by toxic metals such as Hg and Se, particularly in relation to antioxidant systems in plants, mammals, birds, and aquatic species.
• Environmental Impacts: Case studies that examine fish mortality or wildlife decline due to heavy metal contamination, such as recent incidents in rivers like the Oder.
• Toxicokinetics: The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of trace elements in different species, and how these processes affect overall health and survival.
• Comparative Ecotoxicology: Studies comparing the bioaccumulation and toxicological effects of heavy metals across different ecosystems and geographic regions, including selenium-deficient areas.
• Environmental Biochemistry Solutions: Biotechnological and ecological strategies to reduce heavy metal contamination and its adverse effects on ecosystems.
• Cross-Disciplinary Approaches: Research that combines ecology, toxicology, and biochemistry to address complex environmental problems.

Prof. Dr. Podlasińska Joanna
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. Applied Sciences 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 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.

• ecological toxicology
• environmental biochemistry
• trace elements (Hg, Se)
• ecosystem resilience
• aquatic and terrestrial pollution
• biochemical responses to toxins
• conservation biology