This Special Issue focuses on environmental applications and implications of radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry, emphasizing research that advances our understanding of radioactivity in the environment and provides practical solutions for environmental protection and human health. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and case studies that contribute novel insights or practical applications to the field.

The scope encompasses six interconnected research areas that collectively address the full spectrum of environmental radiochemistry challenges, from detection and monitoring through risk assessment to remediation and long-term management. Monitoring and analytical innovation forms the foundation of environmental radiochemistry. We seek contributions on advanced analytical techniques for radionuclide detection, quantification, and speciation, as well as developments in environmental radioactivity monitoring systems and networks. Research on biomonitoring approaches, radionuclide uptake in ecosystems, and novel sensor technologies including real-time radiation detection methods will be particularly valuable for improving our capacity to track and understand radioactivity in the environment.

Understanding environmental behavior and assessing risks requires comprehensive knowledge of how radionuclides move through and interact with environmental systems. Contributions addressing the fate, transport, and transformation of radionuclides in soil, water, and air are welcome, as are studies on radioecology and radionuclide cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Research on risk assessment methodologies, long-term environmental impact studies of nuclear facilities and legacy sites, and investigations of radionuclide bioavailability and transfer in food chains will strengthen our ability to predict and manage environmental risks. Remediation and waste management represent critical practical challenges requiring innovative solutions. We encourage submissions on innovative remediation technologies for radioactively contaminated sites, radioactive waste treatment, conditioning, and disposal strategies, and decommissioning technologies with environmental restoration approaches. Studies on advanced materials—including nanomaterials, biosorbents, and polymers—for radionuclide removal, as well as both in-situ and ex-situ treatment methods, will contribute to more effective and sustainable management practices.

Nuclear safety and emergency preparedness ensure rapid and effective response to radiological events. Research on environmental monitoring protocols during radiological emergencies, predictive modeling of radionuclide dispersion and environmental fate, and post-accident environmental assessment and recovery strategies is essential. Contributions on rapid screening and early warning systems will enhance our capacity to protect public health and the environment during nuclear emergencies. Sustainable nuclear technologies address the environmental dimensions of current and future nuclear energy systems. We welcome studies on environmental aspects of advanced nuclear reactor designs and fuel cycles, life cycle assessment of nuclear energy systems, and strategies for minimizing the environmental footprint of nuclear operations. Research examining environmental considerations in nuclear facility design and operation will support the development of more sustainable nuclear technologies. Natural radioactivity presents ongoing challenges distinct from anthropogenic sources. Contributions on natural radionuclides in the environment and their health implications, technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM), and radon and its progeny in indoor and outdoor environments will provide valuable insights into these widespread but often overlooked exposure sources.

This Special Issue particularly values interdisciplinary research that integrates radiochemistry with related fields such as geochemistry, environmental microbiology, ecology, and environmental engineering. Studies combining multiple approaches—analytical, modeling, experimental, and field-based—will provide the most comprehensive insights. We accept original research articles presenting novel findings, comprehensive reviews synthesizing current knowledge and identifying future directions, critical perspectives challenging existing paradigms, and case studies demonstrating practical applications of radiochemistry to real-world environmental problems.

Authors are encouraged to emphasize the practical implications of their work for environmental protection, human health, and sustainable nuclear technology development.

Marine environments are increasingly affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic stressors, leading to changes in seawater quality that can have direct and indirect impacts on both environmental and human health. Contaminants such as bioaccumulative toxins, marine litter, and emerging chemical pollutants can enter marine food webs, affect biodiversity, and ultimately pose risks to human populations dependent on marine resources.

This Special Issue aims to provide new insights into the complex pathways through which multi-stressor marine environments influence environmental and human health, contributing to a more holistic understanding needed for effective management and policy actions. It will gather research that investigates the interactions between multiple stressors in marine environments and their consequences for ecosystem and human health. It will include contributions on climate related parameters, bio-essential and toxic elements, litter, organic pollutants, biodiversity, radioactivity, frugal monitoring technologies, and citizen science approaches to environmental health surveillance. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary studies that link marine environmental quality indicators to potential health outcomes, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations.