Evaluating the role of environmental engineering research in the anthropocene through bibliometric analysis
Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10668-026-08116-4
- Dergi Adı: Environment, Development and Sustainability
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, BIOSIS, Geobase, Greenfile, Index Islamicus, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Cluster analysis, Environmental performance index, Scientometrics, Sustainable development goals
- Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Environmental engineering is a field of study that addresses the negative externalities, such as pollution, in the commons, including water, soil, and air, with the objective of protecting public health. It is, therefore, crucial to address the central question of the extent to which the field can fulfill its expected role, which has been particularly exacerbated in the Anthropocene. The objective of this study is to explore the evolution of research activities in the field of environmental engineering with a view to facilitating informed decision-making via bibliometric analysis. A total of 63,037 publications from the Web of Science (WoS) database were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis, covering the period from the 1970s to 2023. The results showed that the USA (10,267), South Korea (10,162), and Türkiye (9,902) had the highest number of retrieved publications. The leading affiliations were the Technical University of Denmark (2,341), Zhejiang University (1,764), and Istanbul Technical University (1,650). Although the number of publications in the field demonstrates a steady upward trajectory, the increasing attention given to historical and emerging environmental issues has not resulted in substantial changes in the dominant research patterns. A keyword co-occurrence cluster analysis revealed thematic patterns related to the following themes: water as an environmental medium and, in particular, wastewater as a result of anthropogenic impacts; chemicals, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); processes, including adsorption, physicochemical and biological (anaerobic digestion), advanced oxidation techniques, and membrane applications. A comparison of publication productivity with the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) indicates that the former does not necessarily align with national environmental performance as measured by EPI scores. In terms of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the WoS-classified SDG-related publications were mainly associated with Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11), and Climate Action (SDG13). In conclusion, a concerted effort and awareness are required to facilitate the translation of research needs in the field into tangible, real-life outcomes to support sustainable solutions that can contribute to national, regional, or global agendas.