Scientometric study of treatment technologies of soil pollution: Present and future challenges

• Published in: Applied soil ecology : a section of Agriculture, ecosystems & environment Vol. 182; p. 104695
• Main Authors: Valdiviezo Gonzales, Lorgio Gilberto, Castañeda-Olivera, Carlos Alberto, Cabello-Torres, Rita Jaqueline, García Ávila, Fausto Fernando, Munive Cerrón, Rubén Víctor, Alfaro Paredes, Emigdio Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2023
• Subjects: biodegradation; China; chlorimuron ethyl; India; Italy; leadership; microplastics; phytoremediation; Scientometric study; Soil degradation; soil ecology; Soil pollution; Soil remediation; soil treatment; Spain; Treatment technologies; Italy; China; India; Spain; Soil degradation; Soil remediation; Treatment technologies; Soil pollution; Scientometric study
• ISSN: 0929-1393; 1873-0272
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104695

There are few bibliometric studies showing current technologies and their combinations for the remediation of contaminated soils. For this reason, a scientometric study was carried out in order to know the trends in soil contamination treatment technologies. The study considered original articles and reviews published in the Scopus and Web of Science databases between January 2010 and June 2021, evaluating: (a) characteristics of the publications, (b) main research sources, (c) citations and production by journals, (d) keywords used, (e) countries, institutions and authors active in research production, (f) most cited articles and (g) trends in soil treatment and remediation techniques. The results showed: (a) continuous growth of publications on soil remediation in the “Environmental Science” subject area and a limited contribution of the “Soil Science” and “Agriculture and Biological Science” subject areas, (b) leadership of countries such as China, USA, India, Italy and Spain in research production, (c) phytoremediation, bioremediation and biodegradation were the most studied treatment technologies in the last decade and (d) recent research (from 2020) studied pesticides and herbicides, including Chlorimuron-ethyl and also microplastics and other emerging pollutants. It is also noted that the current trend of combinations of techniques for the treatment of soil contamination is attractive for future research. [Display omitted] •8571 publications on contaminated soils in WoS and Scopus were analyzed.•China, India and USA had the highest number of publications.•Bioremediation is the leading technique in the treatment of contaminated soils.•Remediation of PFAS-contaminated soils stands out as a challenge.•The combination of techniques is very attractive for remediating contaminated soils.