The increasing volume of biosolids generated worldwide during the treatment of wastewaters constitutes an environmental problem. Land application of biosolids is an internationally favoured option because it contributes to recycling organic matter, macro- and micronutrients that improve soil characteristics and have beneficial effects on plant growth, biomass production, and microbial activity. This alternative option for biosolid management may apply for agricultural areas, agroforestry, and in the restoration of damaged and degraded ecosystems, where soil properties and nutrient availability, especially phosphorus, hamper the production of goods and services. However, the benefits from biosolids application have to be weighed against potential negative effects such as an increased rate of nitrate leaching and soil contamination with potentially toxic trace elements, organic contaminants, or human pathogens.

This annual issue intends to gather the most recent scientific information on this subject around the world. Authors are invited to submit original research as well as review articles. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Agronomic application: rates, methods, and economics
• Mineralization of organically bound elements
• Soil nutrient availability
• Plant nutrient uptake and nutrition
• Biosolids N and P management
• Fate of pollutants and interactions with native soil components
• Heavy metals, including robustness of current application guidelines and directives
• Changes in soil organic matter fractions
• Hazardous organic components, including human pathogenicity
• Effect on soil organisms
• Effect on soil's physical conditions
• Potential for carbon sequestration
• Biosolids as restoration tool of degraded ecosystems and industrial sites

Editors will also consider papers in other related topics dealing with biosolid application.

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aess/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: