Despite the immense potential in environmental remediation, the translation of magnetic nanomaterials (MNMs) from laboratory innovations to practical, field-scale applications remains hindered by significant technical and environmental challenges. This is particularly evident in soil environments—which are inherently more complex than aquatic systems and have received comparatively less research attention. Beginning with an outline of the fundamental properties that make iron-based MNMs effective as adsorbents and catalysts for heavy metals and organic pollutants, this review systematically examines their core contaminant removal mechanisms. These include adsorption, catalytic degradation (e.g., via Fenton-like reactions), and magnetic recovery. However, the practical implementation of MNMs is constrained by several key limitations, such as particle agglomeration, oxidative instability, and reduced efficacy in multi-pollutant systems. More critically, major uncertainties persist regarding their long-term environmental fate and biocompatibility. In light of these challenges, we propose that future efforts should prioritize the rational design of stable, selective, and intelligent MNMs through advanced surface engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The study assessed the volatile organic compound (VOC) pollution characteristics in a chemical site in Weinan, China. The results indicated that chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, ethylbenzene, 1,2-dichloropropane, and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane exceeded the soil standard limit for soil contamination of development land (GB36600, PRC). Using pollution index, ambient severity, and correlation coefficient revealed industrial production and relocation activities as sources of VOCs contamination in the site. The carcinogenic risk assessed by human exposure to site VOCs through ingestion, respiration, exposure, etc., exceeded the potentially acceptable level (1.0 × 10⁻⁶). 1,2,3-trichloropropane has the highest carcinogenic risk across all pathways, regions, and populations. The long-term exposure and emission of VOCs in the investigated sites could likely pose an adverse health risk to site staff and the surrounding sensitive groups. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out strict investigation and evaluation of the site, and timely repair and control to protect the water, soil, and air environment and to avoid the long-term cumulative exposure risk to human health caused by VOCs emission.

Heavy metal pollution in soils is an issue of global concern, and many scholars have focused on Cadmium (Cd) because of its strong biological migration and toxicity. This study explored arable land soil, changes in external Cd contamination processes and its response to soil moisture conditions, and indoor simulation. After adding an external source of 5 mg/kg d.w., the distribution of soil Cd fractions content, EXC-Cd, CAB-Cd, FMO-Cd, OM-Cd, and RES-Cd, were continuously monitored under different water management regimes, and correlation analysis and regression equations were calculated. The results show that after external Cd entered arable land soils, the binging strength of pollutants and soil gradually increased with incubation time, and the distribution of Cd chemical forms was more stable under different water management regimes. The oversaturated water content promotes the transformation of EXC-Cd to other forms. The transformation of CAB-Cd fractions can be accelerated to other fractions by field capacity, and the active conversion period was 30–60 d. Not all Cd fractions correlated between each other, under the four water management regimes, but it seems that the reducibility of the soil environment was more conducive to external Cd fixation and stability. The response surface design method (RSM) was used to establish quantitative regimes between Cd fractions with incubation time and soil moisture, and the soil moisture content and incubation time had an obvious effect on FMO-Cd content, with R² = 0.9542.

Computational fluid dynamics is widely used in scientific research in various fields. This paper introduces the basic principles of computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation calculation, and summarizes the simulation analysis of pollutant migration and diffusion in the surface underwater-groundwater recharge process, the mainstream fluid numerical model characteristics and the application of groundwater pollution control and restoration. It provides a reference for the selection of numerical models in groundwater pollution survey simulation and control restoration research.

With the acceleration of new-type urbanization and beautiful countryside construction, the urban fringe has become one of the main spaces for urban expansion and environmental quality improvement. Water and sediment samples are collected from 8 sites at the intersection of the Weihe River and the Qianhe River in the eastern suburbs of Baoji City. The results show that from the upper reaches to the lower reaches of the river, the HMs concentration of the mainstream is Weihe River>Qianhe River, and the upper stream < the lower stream. The highest concentrations of Cr, Ni, Pb, and Hg in river water exceeded GB3838 Class II standard limits. The HM concentration in sediments from, high to low, is Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni> Pb>As>Cd>Hg. The degree of potential ecological risk from the upper reaches to the lower reaches of the river was: high → considerable → moderate → considerable. However, the ecological risk degree of individual metal elements is Hg>Cd>Pb>Cu>As>Ni>Cr>Zn. The main pollution elements are Hg, Pb, and As, mostly from point-source discharge and upstream tributaries. In the future, point-source emissions should be strictly controlled, and land use planning should be adjusted.

Through sorting out the current situation of environmental protection of urban centralized drinking water sources in Northwest China, and systematically analyzing the main problems and deficiencies in the process of standardization of centralized drinking water sources. Corresponding countermeasures are proposed from the aspects of system establishment and water source construction, source protection area division, water quality improvement, environmental supervision, etc., which provide references for the next step of water source management, environmental remediation and risk prevention and control.