The 1st Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration (EMCEI: http://www.emcei.net/2017) was launched in November 2017 and held in Tunisia by Springer, in collaboration with the Editorial Office of the Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration.

The conference gathered new research contributions from a broad range of disciplines of the environmental sciences by Euro-Mediterranean scientists with diverse backgrounds, in particular from the geo- and bio-environmental sciences and engineering. The conference enjoyed the participation of more than 450 scientists from 50 countries, 16 invited speakers who are Editors of Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, and other distinguished scientists who have made pioneering contributions to new trends in research, development, and innovation in the multidisciplinary fields of environmental sciences.

The primary aim of the conference was to re-launch the debate on revitalizing the Euro-Mediterranean environmental integration process by means of concrete cooperative projects in various sectors, especially those related to environmental awareness, assessment, remediation, and mitigation. This is a much needed approach in view of the accelerating environmental degradation being experienced by the Euro-Mediterranean and surrounding regions. In the context of fast population growth, improving living standards, modernization, and rapid industrialization, environmental challenges will continue or even be exacerbated in the years to come. These challenges reinforce the need to stimulate the environmental integration process through the launch of the EMCEI. The conference provides a platform to collect research initiatives that highlight the importance of integrating environmental considerations into their activities by decision-makers from relevant sectors. Intensified integration of environmental concerns into policy decisions (i.e., environmental integration) is essential to move towards sustainable development. This is in line with the vision and plan of the European Commission—Environment and other regional official organizations whose mission is to protect, preserve, and improve the Euro-Mediterranean environment for the present and future generations.

All the papers presented during the conference as oral and poster sessions, keynote lectures, and during the workshops were compiled in two volumes of the conference proceedings entitled “Recent Advances in Environmental Science from the Euro-Mediterranean and Surrounding Regions” and include 588 chapters (short conference papers) published by Springer and successfully indexed in the Web of Science database (Kallel et al. 2017).

The current Special Issue (SI) of Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR) presents nine research papers on emerging environmental issues and challenges and how they apply to a variety of problems specific to the Euro-Mediterranean region, but which are also relevant to the surrounding regions and other parts of the world.

Three papers focusing on adsorption models and kinetics of pollutants from water and wastewater are as follows:

  1. 1.

    Selmi et al. (2018) investigated the adsorption of two different dyes in aqueous solution, methylene blue (MB), and methyl orange (MO), as a function of pH and temperature on four different activated carbons. The thermodynamics studies revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. Both the nonlinear Brouers–Sotolongo fractal, BSf (n,α), kinetic model and the generalized Brouers–Sotolongo, GBS, isotherm model were found to fit the corresponding experimental results.

  2. 2.

    Maaloul et al. (2019) synthetized novel environmentally friendly cellulose beads from almond shells (CBBAS). They proved that CBBAS biosorbents can be easily separated from the solution for subsequent reuse, and thus, they represent a method for the removal of copper (II) from aqueous solutions that is both eco-friendly and economical.

  3. 3.

    Mittal and Khanuja (2019) prepared MoSe2 nanostructures (nanourchins and nanosheets) by a simple hydrothermal technique using selenium and sodium molybdate as precursors. Using different morphologies of MoSe2, they found good photocatalytic performance on degradation of anionic dye, cationic dye, and reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III).

The SI also includes a paper in which Viccione et al. (2019) analyzed the performance of commercial filters used for the mechanical filtration of suspended solid particles with regard to head losses depending on the circulating flow rate, the nominal porosity of the filter, and its degree of clogging.

In another paper, Fourati et al. (2019) highlighted the capability of the halophyte Sesuvium portulacastrum L. as a suitable candidate for phytoremediation of Ni-contaminated soils by studying the nickel tolerance and toxicity mechanisms of this plant species.

Two papers on the potential use of bio-components as alternatives to synthetic chemicals are presented:

  1. 1.

    Ponsankar et al. (2019) proved that the bioactive compound cucurbitacin E from Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad would offer a biorational product alternative to synthetic pesticides in pest management. They confirmed these findings through bioassay on different larval instars of Spodoptera litura and toxicity tests on the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

  2. 2.

    The study of Palanikani et al. (2019) might open new dimensions in the application of medicinal plant products as safe and effective protection in fresh water aquaculture against various infections. Indeed, they proved that the implementation of methanolic crude extracts of Andrographis paniculata to Labeo rohita improved the non-specific fish immune system and provides efficient antibacterial activity against the Aeromonas hydrophila pathogen.

In the last two papers, the authors:

  1. 1.

    Gao et al. (2019) provided an important insight into the combined toxicity on soil-dwelling organisms of livestock growth promoters when applied to the soil as manure. They revealed a potential adverse effect on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) of the combined sub-acute exposure of roxarsone and copper.

  2. 2.

    Brini et al. (2018) established the correlation between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and climate factors (including temperature, rainfall, and humidity) in the area of Sousse, Tunisia, in neonates and children. The impact of climate factors on viral circulation was statistically analyzed. Their findings could greatly help to determine the optimal timing of appropriate strategies to prevent outbreaks of RSV, taking into account specific Tunisian climate parameters.

We hope that this SI, taking some of the best contributions to the 1st EMCEI, will offer ESPR readers a valuable opportunity to learn more about some of the new advances in environmental research initiatives in view of the accelerating environmental degradation in the Euro-Mediterranean region, which has made environmental and resource protection a dominant priority for sustainable development and social welfare.