The relationship between forests and water has been of interest to scientists for many years. It is common knowledge that forests influence the hydrological cycle and that, accordingly, they have an effect on water resources both quantitatively and qualitatively (FAO, 2013). Forests allow the reception and distribution of rainwater in a balanced way between the compartments of the system. Forest cover favors the infiltration, percolation and storage of water in the soil, as well as reducing runoff and erosion processes, since the vegetation contributes to soil aggregation, with high amounts of organic matter, moisture, and active microbial content. Studies show, for example, the function performed by vegetation roots, whether living or dead, where they channel and direct through the soil the water captured in the stem flow, indicating in this way a hydrological response to the rainfall event (Neary et al., 2009; Schwärzel et al., 2012; Ellison et al., 2017).

Bruijnzeel (2004), Andreássian (2004) e Ellison et al. (2017) are examples of works that properly present and discuss the Forest-Water-Climate relationship. Highlight can still be given to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which organized “The Forests and Water: a Five-year Action Plan”, launched in Durban during the 14th World Forestry Congress. The plan calls for the tangible integration of science, policy and practice related to forest-water interactions e dentre os vários objetivos está the highlight both the importance of forest and water management (FAO, 2015; WeForest, 2015).

The fact: it is possible to identify the effects of the degradation process on the hydrological cycle of a river basin (Schwärzel et al., 2012; Lorenzon, 2013). The degradation of natural ecosystems as well as the urbanization of natural landscapes is increasing, thus interfering with the state and availability of water in the various compartments of the soil-plant-atmosphere system (Machado et al., 2004; Santos, 2012; Holder and Gibbes, 2016; Carvalho et al., 2016).

The proposal of this special edition is to present studies that discuss the role of the forest in the production of water in a watershed and the relation between forest-soil-water-climate.

Pollution of surface water sources and groundwater by hazardous chemicals such as heavy metals proceeds to be a significant environmental concern in the industrialized world. In addition, wastewater arising from different industrial production plants and agricultural activities contains various hazardous chemicals and materials at high concentrations. Many kinds of hazardous pollutants can be removed from water and wastewater using physico-chemical and separation processes, for example, adsorption, ion exchange and membrane processes. Physico-chemical processes are suitable in terms of efficient, cost, feasibility and applicability for numerous hazardous materials and chemicals.

This special issue will publish contributions related to approaches in the field of hazardous chemicals and materials removal from water and wastewater using physico-chemical and separation processes. We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will improve our understanding and stimulate the continuing efforts to understand this field. We are particularly interested in articles describing hazards and affect certain chemicals to water resources and ways of controlling hazardous chemicals and associated risks.

This special edition intends to show the options from thermodynamic cycles to exchange hear from some kinds of energy: solar, wind and geothermal energies.

Scope of this special number: This special edition is focused on research for energy system to recover energy for rational use.

Purposes: Spanning applications for industrial applications or demonstrative prototypes for use of renewable or conventional energy.

Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emission is by far the most concern now a days. On this basis, all methods of GHG production predictions are so important. I would like to propose a special issue on “prediction of greenhouse gas emission”. It can contain all methods of prediction such as numerical, experimental, conceptual; and also can be contain variety of GHG sources such as industrial, waste management… Also, actions on reduction of GHG production can be highly welcomed.

Sustainable development concept was introduced as a solution to the environmental crisis due to intensive industrial exploitation of resources and the persistent degradation of the environment by anthropogenic sources being defined by the Brundtland Commission’s Report as “economical development of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987). In this context, nanotechnologies have been identified as key enabling technologies by International Organizations, and nanomaterials have been developed for applications in catalysis, information storage, chemical sensing and imaging, information storage, electronics and photonics, drug delivery, biological labelling, environmental remediation, agriculture.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have an important role in achieving the principles of sustainable development. Thus, the goal of the Special Issues on Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Sustainable Development is to be a platform where scientists and researchers all over the world can share and promote them new developments and results in areas of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies emphasizing their importance for our sustainable future. Recent results regarding sustainable technologies will be highlighted because they are viable solutions for a clean environment, water resources, food processing and supply, mineral resources, renewable energy conversion and utilization, transportation, green building, climate change, and catalysis.

This special issue will focus on materials science aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology covering synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of all types of nanostructured and nanoscale materials such as nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanocrystals, nanoclusters superlattices, nanomaterials, nanoscale thin films, etc. The topics also include nanofabrication and applications of nanomaterials in photodegradation of air pollutants, water and wastewater treatment, photocatalytic convertor, dye removal, deactivation of infectious bacteria and other microorganisms, etc.

It is a great pleasure for me to invite you to contribute a research article to this forthcoming special issue. AJEE-SAP publishes original full research articles, rapid communications and timely state-of-the-art reviews with author’s photo and short biography. The research article could be between 10 to 100 manuscript pages in length (equal to 3 to 35 printed journal pages) including figures, tables, and references. There is no page limit for review articles. The manuscript (communications and full research papers) should be original and unpublished.

The goal of this special issue is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of Chemical, Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering. Special issue aims to provide relatively wide coverage of Chemical and Biotechnological aspects in Environmental Engineering. The special issue emphasizes papers in developing fields, as well as papers showing the interaction between environmental disciplines and other disciplines. It will mainly serve as a landmark source for future studies regarding Chemical and Biotechnological applications in field studies of Environmental Engineering. Authors are encouraged to address the issues helping existing and potential end- users in utilizing the benefits of this outstanding contribution of modern technologies in Environmental Engineering.

With increasing pressure on environmental impact reduction, college and campuses have come to play an important role in environmental stewardship since they generate large amounts of solid waste while having the potential of better reducing and disposing of their residues. Many higher education institutions throughout the world run environmental programs focused on the generation and recycling of solid waste at their campuses. Efforts have been made in the areas of waste reduction including: paper use reduction practices, resource reutilization, and recycling. Several studies conclude that recyclable materials represent an important fraction of the total waste generated (more than 60%) on universities and colleges, so an important number of educational institutions are focused on improving their recycling systems, followed by waste reduction. Organic materials also make up a large part of an institution’s waste stream and on-campus composting of yard waste is widely spread in universities. More recently, the practice of vermicomposting as a waste management strategy for food-derived waste has received increasing attention so research programs and commercial projects have been developed in many countries all over the world.

Besides, Campus Recycling Programs in several education institutions involve participation of the whole community, immersing students, faculty and staff in environmental topics, creating hands-on experiences, and developing sustainable and conservation-focused practices. Public image of Colleges and Universities is also affected by their waste management practices.

The aim of this special issue is to foster state-of-the-art research in the area of solid waste management, including waste reduction and recycling practices as well as waste systems engineering. This special issue focuses on advances in management strategies adopted by higher education institutions such as colleges and universities aiming to reduce the negative impact of solid waste generated by them.