Two other components used in the stabilization method included flue gas desulfurization residues and coal fly ash. Results obtained by leaching test on the stabilized samples revealed that heavy metal concentrations, particularly for Zn and Pb, were significantly reduced. The three factors responsible for the reduction of the heavy metal concentrations by the stabilization method were the amount of ash used, the Zn and Pb concentrations in the as-received fly ash, and the solution of the final materials. [PERSON] et al. [6] investigated the removal of phosphorus from a secondary-treated effluent of a Portuguese paper company based on the growth and ability of _Chloella vulgaris_. Results obtained by batch experiments revealed that the undiluted effluent inhibited microalgal growth. Consequently, the dilution of the effluent was necessary to achieve the desired bioremediation. The most diluted effluent enabled the removal of 54 \(\pm\) 1% of phosphorus. It was also found that the microalgal growth was dependent on the compounds present in the effluent and on the solution pH. In the last featured article on environmental chemistry, [PERSON] et al. [7] reviewed the effects and consequences of arsenic contamination of groundwater with regard to drinking water quality and human health in under-developed countries and remote communities. They discussed the chemistry of arsenic and the factors influencing the form(s) of arsenic present and its fate when introduced into the environment. They also provided a global overview of arsenic contamination of groundwater around the world, and a case study of arsenic contamination in Bangladesh was used to highlight the health-related, agricultural, social, and economic impacts. Furthermore, the available strategies for removal of arsenic and specific examples of the available filter systems for domestic arsenic removal from groundwater for potable water use were discussed. _Polymer/coating chemistry_ also features very well in this special issue, with three articles. [PERSON] et al. [8] reported on their investigation of the effect of the incorporation of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) into cementitious-based composite materials on their microstructure and self-healing properties. It was found that the compressive strength remained intact for all specimens with the incorporation of the SAPs. This was attributed to the reduction in porosity and the narrower range of pore size distribution of the mortar/SAP specimens. In addition, an up to 60% increase in the self-healing behavior of mortar/SAP specimens was observed when compared to control specimens. In another study, [PERSON] et al. [9] investigated the use of licorice root extracts produced by ultrasound-assisted extraction in combination with chitosan to produce edible coatings for improving the postharvest quality of fruits. The bioactive extracts were applied to strawberry for the evaluation of their physicochemical and microbiological properties. It was found that the addition of the licorice extract to chitosan improved the rheological properties of the coatings, resulting in reduced rigidity. Furthermore, during storage, good-quality parameters were maintained by the strawberry coated with chitosan and licorice extract. In addition, the coated strawberry achieved the best microbiological preservation when compared with controls. A very interesting use of a combination of polymers for oral drug delivery was presented by [PERSON] et al. [10]. They evaluated the use of different ratios of mucin-grafted polyethylene glycol-based micro-particles, both in vitro and in vivo, as carriers for the oral delivery of insulin. The insulin-loaded micro-particles were found to display irregular porosity and shape. The achieved insulin encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity values were >82% and 18%, respectively. The variation in the micro-particle formulation resulted in a variation of the insulin release of between 68% and 92%.