With the increase in material cost and deteriorating environment, there has been strong demanding for less expensive, yet environmental friendly materials. Earth materials (rocks, minerals, and soils) originated from the nature and may meet this increasing need. Due to the broad nature, research results were published in a variety of journals ranging from geology, soil, and environment to chemistry, chemical engineering, and material science. There were few special issues that compile the study of different types of earth materials for environmental application. We invite authors to submit original research and review articles that could expand the fundamental research and practical application of earth materials. We are particularly interested in articles that explore all aspects of earth materials (particularly rocks and minerals) as an important resource in their raw forms or modified forms for environmental applications. The application should be related to utilization of earth materials for contaminant reduction, removal, and degradation as well as interactions between contaminants and earth materials that govern the retention and transport of contaminants.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Modification of Earth materials
• Development of applications of Earth materials in environmental remediation
• Elucidating the role of interactions between Earth materials and contaminants
• Earth materials as additives for industrial applications
• Instrumental characterization of raw and modified Earth materials
• Hybrid materials with Earth materials as part of the components
• Integrated use of waste materials for environmental applications