Environmental pollution from microplastics (MPs), an anthropogenically mediated menace to the biosphere, is a global concern. This research conducted a bibliometric analysis of MPs in soil and terrestrial ecosystems using R software and biblioshiny to analyze descriptive statistics, author contributions, documents, and conceptual structures. The Scopus database was selected, and various keywords optimized the search. An analysis of research trends divided the timeline into three periods: period I (2012–2018), period II (2019–2021), and period III (2022). Results showed Wang J. as the author with the highest h-index, while Science of the Total Environment had an h-index of 43. In period I, research focused on MPs and plastic pollution, raising questions about their impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Research found that MPs negatively affected soil organisms by decreasing growth rates and causing weight loss. In period II, research diversified, exploring interactions between MPs and heavy metals, bioaccumulation, phytotoxicity, soil pollution, and gut microbiota. Research revealed that MPs could influence heavy metal uptake by plants and affect bacterial community structures in soil. In period III, research emphasized oxidative stress, a common ecotoxicity response in plants and animals. MPs induced oxidative stress, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) buildup. Polyethylene MPs were more toxic to plant seedlings than polystyrene and polypropylene, causing significant oxidative stress. Similarly, oxidative stress impacts on soil organisms were highlighted when exposed to MPs and pesticides. Research in this area is expected to continue growing, aiding in delineating distinct research paths, particularly focusing on oxidative stress, bioaccumulation, and heavy metals.

Biochar is a carbonized material obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass produced in a limiting environment of zero or very low oxygen. Its interest lies in its versatility for different applications in the water treatment, soil pollution, mitigation of greenhouse gases, etc. The synergy of this product with other amendments such as compost has been studied for different applications in the soil, including environmental remediation, crop yield, etc. The aim of the research is to identify the relevant aspects in the scientific literature of biochar, compost and soil through a bibliometric analysis for which 753 articles were selected from the Scopus database, having as keywords “biochar”, “compost” and “soil”. This research used R software, specifically the package Bibliometrix, to analyze descriptive analysis, author sources, document metrics, citation, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence network, co-word analysis, and collaboration analysis. Results showed that Zhang Z is the author with the greatest number of documents, and with a higher H index. Science of The Total Environment, Bioresource Technology, and Agronomy are the 3 topmost relevant sources. The keywords according to bond strength and most frequent use were biochar (538 occurrences), composting (349 occurrences), compost (436 occurrences), charcoal (295 occurrences), soil (255 occurrences). China is the country with the most collaboration. It is hoped that the bibliometric review will help to identify current research trends and provide information on the application of biochar and compost in the soil.

This study evaluated the phytoremediation of mine tailing-contaminated soils in Quiulacocha, Peru, using the combined application of biochar and compost, with Zea mays L. (maize) serving as the phytoremediator due to its high biomass production and stress tolerance. A factorial experimental design was implemented, varying two main factors: the mining tailings dose (30% and 60% w/w) and the biochar pyrolysis temperature (300 °C and 500 °C). The mine tailings were characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals and unfavourable physico-chemical properties (pH, low organic matter), whereas the biochar, produced from pine forest residues, and the compost, derived from urban organic waste, exhibited attributes that enhance soil quality. During the pot experiment, response variables including the Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) for various metals were evaluated to assess the capacity for contaminant immobilization and their distribution between plant roots and aerial tissues. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of biochar and compost significantly improved soil quality by increasing pH, cation exchange capacity, and nutrient retention, while simultaneously reducing the bioavailability of heavy metals and limiting their translocation to the aerial parts of maize. Factorial analysis further indicated that both the tailings dose and biochar pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced the efficacy of the phytoremediation process. In conclusion, the combined application of biochar and compost presents an effective and sustainable strategy for rehabilitating mine tailing-contaminated soils by stabilizing heavy metals and promoting the safe growth of Zea mays L.

The global pursuit of sustainable development has intensified the need to integrate Circular Economy (CE), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) as mutually reinforcing frameworks. This study explores the scientific evolution and interconnections among these pillars through a dual approach: (i) a scientometric analysis using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix in RStudio (2024.12.1+563), and (ii) a targeted mini-review of high-impact literature. A dataset of 478 Scopus-indexed articles (2016–2024) was analyzed, revealing CE and I4.0 as key technological and strategic enablers of the SDGs—particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Moreover, the results underscore an increasing role of enabling digital technologies—such as IoT, blockchain, and big data—in shaping sustainable production systems. An important insight from this work is the growing relevance of policy frameworks as catalysts for implementing CE and I4.0 strategies, especially within national and international sustainability agendas. However, the low citation frequency of “policy” as a keyword indicates a gap in the literature that merits further exploration. Future research is encouraged to conduct in-depth bibliometric studies focused on sustainability-related policies, including regulations that operationalize CE and I4.0 to support SDG achievement. This study contributes a comprehensive overview of emerging research trends, identifies strategic knowledge gaps, and highlights the need for cohesive governance mechanisms to accelerate the digital–ecological transition.

The maintenance of the extensive parks at National Agrarian La Molina University (UNALM) generates a large amount of forest biomass, with high treatment costs. For this reason, the pyrolysis of the forest biomass is an alternative for valorization, allowing proper management producing biochar. The aim of the research was to evaluate the stability of biochar at 300°C and 500°C from forest biomass of five predominant species at UNALM, Grevillea robusta, Schinus molle, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Ficus benjamina and Eucalyptus spp. To determine the stability of biochar produced, two methodologies were used (IBI and an adaptation of the López et al.(2010) method), for which organic, labile, oxidizable, recalcitrant carbon on biochar were determined. The results showed a decrease in biochar yield of 6.50% with an increasing pyrolysis temperature. Regarding physicochemical characteristics, the biochar produced was alkaline (pH above 8); besides, the pH and electrical conductivity increased with temperature, by 0.64 and 0.38 ds/m, respectively. However, in the case of nitrogen and ashes, the opposite occurred. It was concluded that all the biochar produced complied with the stability limits according to the applied methodologies, and BSM500 had the highest value of stability considering the applied methodologies. This may indicate that it could have the greatest sequestration of C once applied to the soil and also the reduction of emissions; for that reason, it would be important to carry out future research to estimate the potential for C sequestration in the long term.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major environmental issue due to its high heavy metal concentrations and low pH, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. In Hualgayoc, Cajamarca, Peru, AMD contamination from mining activities necessitates effective remediation strategies. This study evaluated the removal efficiency of organic amendments, municipal waste compost (MWC), cattle manure compost (CMC), vermicompost (HMS), corn stalk biochar (CSB), sludge biochar (SLB), pine biochar (PBC), and native macrophytes Carex pichinchensis (CAX), Juncus ecuadoriensis (JSP), and Myriophyllum aquaticum (MYA) in removing As, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn. A physicochemical characterization of AMD, amendments, and plants was conducted, and sorption capacity was determined through triplicate analyses. The results showed that SLB achieved a 100% Zn removal, while CSB removed over 90% of Cu and Fe. Among the organic amendments, CMC demonstrated the highest As and Cd removal (~100%). Regarding macrophytes, CAX achieved a ~97% Fe removal, and MYA exhibited Cd affinity. CSB had the highest sorption capacity for Cu (0.139 mg/g), Fe (1.942 mg/g), and Zn (0.149 mg/g), highlighting its potential for metal remediation. Organic amendments enhanced metal adsorption and stabilization, outperforming macrophytes in heavy metal removal. Combining organic amendments with native plants is recommended to assess their synergistic potential for AMD remediation.