It is a great honour to be invited to write this editorial for Environmental Geotechnics. As someone not formally trained in either biology or data science, we have become increasingly fascinated by the vital roles that (micro)biological processes and digital tools now play in environmental geotechnics. Our recent research activities, spanning the use of digital tools for material design and soil health improvement, the development of low-carbon soil amendments, and the application of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation, have reinforced the need to break down disciplinary boundaries to address the complex challenges facing the subsurface environment. Following the June 2025 editorial by Peranić (2025) which underscored the importance of adaptive intelligence and data-informed design in environmental geotechnics, this issue extends that conversation by adding another layer of complexity: biology. The papers gathered here not only reflect this interdisciplinary shift but also demonstrate how embracing it can lead to more sustainable and scientifically grounded outcomes.
Indraratna et al. (2025) present a comprehensive review of physical-biochemical clogging in granular filters used for groundwater treatment. The paper provides a detailed analysis of how microbial growth, biofilm formation, and biologically mediated chemical precipitation interact with traditional physical clogging mechanisms. It also highlights the limitations of current filter models that overlook these interactions. Their call for interdisciplinary approaches is both timely and essential to improving the reliability of filtration technologies.
Saif (2025) investigates the use of enzymatically induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) to stabilise raw earth for construction applications. By using soybean-derived urease, the study demonstrates notable improvements in strength and durability while maintaining low carbon dioxide emissions. This paper is an excellent example of how leveraging natural biological processes can provide sustainable alternatives to conventional cement-based stabilisation methods. It also reinforces the potential of bio-stabilisation approaches to contribute meaningfully to climate action and resource-efficient construction practices.
Liu et al. (2025) develop an inversion method to examine the matric suction behaviour of diesel-contaminated unsaturated soils. Their work offers both theoretical and empirical insight into how diesel and water distribute in unsaturated soil pores, and how these distributions affect shear strength and matric suction. The findings advance our theoretical understanding of unsaturated soil mechanics under dual-fluid conditions. More importantly, we believe it highlights that unsaturated systems, particularly those affected by organic pollutants, demand more holistic, multi-phase models that account for biogeochemical processes, echoing the arguments put forward by Indraratna et al. (2025).
From a more applied perspective, Malta-Oliveira et al. (2025) present a compelling case study on brownfield revitalisation in São Paulo, combining high-resolution site characterisation with the TRIAD framework. Their integrated approach used real-time screening tools, combined with stakeholder-driven planning, to optimise remedial decisions and enable redevelopment of the site. The integration of sensor-based data streams with computational tools marks a shift in how geoenvironmental engineers can manage uncertainty, visualise contaminant behaviour, and forecast remediation outcomes. It exemplifies how digital workflows are increasingly essential not only for technical optimisation but also for regulatory assurance, public communication, and investment confidence.
These papers collectively reflect a clear direction for the future of environmental geotechnics; it is increasingly shaped by biological insight, digital innovation, and systems thinking. Geoenvironmental engineers are increasingly working across scales and disciplines, guided by the recognition that the subsurface is a living, reactive system. Meanwhile, data science offers the means to make sense of the complexity, enabling real-time assessment, predictive modelling, and scalable management strategies.
Environmental Geotechnics is uniquely positioned to bring together researchers and practitioners from traditionally separate domains, including geotechnical engineering, environmental science, microbiology, and data analytics. Crucially, the journal also serves as a platform for engaging industry, policymakers, and authorities, who are key contributors to the development and implementation of environmental geotechnical solutions. While this breadth presents challenges in communication, collaboration, and methodological integration, it also offers extraordinary opportunities to reach a wider and more diverse audience, helping to bridge the gap between research and practice and to generate solutions with real-world impact. We hope this issue will inspire continued inter-/trans-disciplinary collaboration and spark new conversations about what environmental geotechnics can become when it fully embraces the biological and digital revolutions now unfolding around us.
