EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality: Scopus, Scope, Submission & Author Guide

Quick Answer: What Is EQA?

EQA is a University of Bologna open-access journal for research on environmental quality, especially the quality and sustainable management of soil, water and air systems. Its official scope welcomes original research, brief reviews and analyses relating to environmental processes, contamination, pollutant effects, environmental management and remediation.

The journal states that it is peer reviewed and uses a single-blind review process. It is indexed in Scopus and also lists Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), DOAJ and several other discovery services among its indexing and abstracting services. The journal publishes in English, releases six volumes/issues per year under a continuous-update model, and currently states that it charges neither article processing charges nor submission fees.

EQA may be a relevant target for researchers in environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, soil science, water quality, pollution studies, remediation, environmental monitoring and related interdisciplinary areas. Before submitting, authors should still confirm that their specific research question, methods, article type and manuscript length align with the latest author instructions.

Key Takeaways

• Full title: EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality.
• Publisher/owner: University of Bologna publishing platform; owned by the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna.
• Identifiers: print ISSN 2039-9898; online/current site ISSN 2281-4485; supplied Scopus Source ID 21101202300.
• Scope: soil, water and air quality; pollution; ecological effects; waste-related contamination; environmental management and remediation.
• Peer review: single blind, with initial editorial screening and normally two external referees for manuscripts sent to review.
• Access and fees: immediate open access under CC BY 4.0; the journal currently states no APC and no submission fee.
• Publication frequency: six times per year, with issues updated continuously until the next volume.
• Metrics: current CiteScore, SJR, SNIP and quartile should be checked in the current Scopus source profile because values change by reporting year.

Journal Information at a Glance

What This Page Covers

• EQA's verified identity, publisher, ownership and identifiers
• Aims, scope and subject areas
• Scopus and other indexing information
• Article types and manuscript format
• Peer-review workflow and editorial screening
• Open-access licence and publication fees
• Publication ethics and data expectations
• How to judge manuscript fit before submission
• How to prepare a stronger, journal-aligned manuscript
• How Contentxprtz can support ethical publication readiness

Methodology and Sources

This profile was prepared using the supplied journal record and authoritative public information from the official EQA website, the journal's About the Journal and Submissions pages, DOAJ, and the supplied Scopus source profile. Metrics, indexing coverage, editorial teams, fees and policies can change, so authors should reconfirm time-sensitive facts before submission.

What Is EQA and What Role Does It Serve?

EQA developed from the environmental-quality conference tradition associated with Imola, Italy. The journal's history states that the acronym derives from “Environmental quality - Qualité de l'Environment - Qualità ambientale,” and that the journal began publishing its first volumes in 2009. Its current role is broader than a conference-proceedings outlet: it operates as an international environmental research journal addressing the quality and sustainable use of environmental resources.

The journal is particularly relevant to research communities working at the interface of environmental science and agricultural or biological science. Because many environmental-quality problems cross disciplinary boundaries, EQA can accommodate work that connects soil science, water quality, pollution chemistry, environmental biology, agricultural systems, waste management and remediation. That does not mean every environmental manuscript is automatically a fit; authors still need a clear connection to environmental quality and the journal's stated research themes.

EQA Aims and Scope: What Research Fits?

The journal's official scope centres on soil, water and air quality and the sustainable use of these environmental resources. It specifically identifies natural and human-driven processes affecting environmental biota; contamination arising from waste management and disposal; ecological effects of pollutants; and techniques, methods, approaches and practical experience intended to improve or remediate environmental conditions.

Research themes that appear well aligned

• Soil contamination, degradation, quality indicators and restoration
• Water quality, wastewater impacts, pollutant transport and treatment
• Air-quality processes and ecological consequences of atmospheric pollution
• Heavy metals, pesticides, emerging contaminants and other pollutants
• Waste disposal, waste reuse and environmental contamination pathways
• Phytoremediation, bioremediation and other environmental remediation methods
• Environmental monitoring, quality assessment and management techniques
• Agricultural practices that affect soil or water quality
• Interdisciplinary work linking ecosystem condition with environmental management

Recent 2026 content illustrates this breadth, including work on waste cooking oil reuse, salinity stress in cotton, organoclay applications for glyphosate removal, heavy-metal contamination, soil-quality indices, and phytoremediation. These examples are useful for manuscript-fit evaluation because they show that the journal publishes both applied environmental studies and more method-oriented or process-oriented work.

Possible mismatch situations

A manuscript may be less suitable if its environmental connection is only incidental, if it is primarily a general agricultural productivity study without a meaningful environmental-quality dimension, or if it falls outside the journal's soil-water-air and environmental-management focus. As a practical publication-readiness step, authors should compare their abstract and keywords with several recent EQA papers rather than relying only on the broad scope statement.

Who Should Consider Submitting to EQA?

EQA may be suitable for university researchers, PhD scholars, environmental scientists, soil scientists, agricultural researchers, ecologists, environmental chemists, pollution researchers and professionals whose work generates publishable evidence about environmental quality. The journal itself particularly welcomes work directed to scientific researchers in environmental sciences and agricultural and biological sciences.

For doctoral candidates, the key question is not simply whether EQA is “Scopus indexed.” University or PhD regulations may specify acceptable indexing databases, active coverage dates, quartile thresholds, journal categories or institutional approval lists. Researchers should therefore verify both the journal's current database status and their own institutional rules before treating any journal as eligible for a degree requirement.

Understanding EQA's Scopus Coverage and Journal Metrics

The supplied journal record gives Scopus Source ID 21101202300, and the journal's official indexing page lists Scopus among its indexing and abstracting services. That supports describing EQA as a Scopus-indexed journal. However, current Scopus coverage dates and annual citation metrics should be checked on the live Scopus source profile when a precise reporting-year value is required.

CiteScore, SJR, SNIP and CiteScore quartiles are time-sensitive journal-level indicators. They can change from one reporting year to another and may differ by subject category. This article therefore does not invent or freeze a value that could become outdated. Researchers who need the current quartile for promotion, funding, PhD submission or university compliance should open the Scopus source profile and record the metric year, category and percentile alongside the value.

The journal also lists Web of Science's Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) in its indexing information. A Web of Science listing should not be automatically converted into an assumed Journal Impact Factor claim. If an Impact Factor is important to your decision, confirm the current Journal Citation Reports record directly through Clarivate or your institution.

What Does EQA Publish?

The official author guidelines state that EQA publishes in English and accepts original research papers, review articles and short communications dealing with air, water and soil ecosystem quality, conservation, policy and perspectives. The guidelines indicate that article submissions should not normally exceed 5,000 words excluding tables, figures and references, while the original-paper guidance also states a limit of 12 double-spaced pages with 2 cm margins including tables, figures and summary.

Authors should interpret these limits carefully and use the current downloadable or online journal instructions at the time of preparation, especially if different sections of the guidelines describe length in different ways. If your manuscript is substantially longer, contact the journal or revise before submission rather than assuming that excess length will be accepted.

Manuscript and Formatting Requirements

EQA's current author instructions specify Times New Roman, 12-point type, portrait orientation, a 17 × 24 cm page size and 2 cm margins on all sides. Manuscript pages should be numbered. The stated manuscript organisation includes title; author names and addresses; corresponding-author details; an abstract of no more than 250 words; keywords; introduction; materials and methods; results; discussion and conclusions; and references.

References

In-text citations use author surname and date, with “et al.” for more than two authors. The reference list is alphabetical and unnumbered. Because reference formatting is easy to disrupt during revision, authors should perform a final cross-check to ensure that every in-text citation has a corresponding reference and that every listed reference is cited in the text.

Figures

The official instructions state that figures should be numbered consecutively, should not exceed 20 × 30 cm, and that electronic artwork should be supplied in JPG or TIFF format at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Authors should also ensure that axis labels, legends and annotations remain readable after journal-size reduction.

How to Submit a Manuscript

EQA uses Open Journal Systems (OJS). Authors register or log in to the journal platform, begin a submission and follow the editorial workflow through the system. The submission checklist requires that the manuscript has not been previously published and is not simultaneously under consideration elsewhere unless an explanation has been provided to the editor. The manuscript must also comply with the journal's stylistic and bibliographic requirements.

Before uploading, authors should prepare the manuscript file, verify author information, check the abstract and keywords, confirm figure quality, and ensure references follow the required style. It is also prudent to prepare a concise cover letter explaining the manuscript's research question, contribution and fit with EQA's environmental-quality scope.

What Happens After You Submit a Manuscript?

The journal states that every submission undergoes initial quality assessment and plagiarism screening through iThenticate. An editor and editorial-board member then assess whether the manuscript appears to offer sufficient originality, importance, cross-disciplinary interest and methodological soundness. Manuscripts that pass this stage are sent to two external referees selected for relevant expertise.

EQA describes its process as single blind: reviewer identities are hidden from authors. Possible editorial outcomes include acceptance as submitted, minor revision, major revision before a final decision, or rejection. When reviewer opinions differ, the editor weighs the comments and may seek further clarification. Revised manuscripts can be returned to reviewers for additional comment.

The journal does not publicly state a universal acceptance rate on the official pages reviewed for this guide. Authors should not rely on estimated acceptance-rate figures from unsourced third-party websites. DOAJ currently displays an average of about 12 weeks from submission to publication, but researchers should treat this as directory-reported information rather than a guaranteed journal timeline.

Open Access, Copyright and Publication Fees

EQA provides immediate open access and publishes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. The journal states that authors retain copyright. The licence supports reuse with appropriate attribution under its terms, and the journal also permits authors to post the final post-refereeing draft in personal, departmental, institutional or non-commercial subject repositories.

The official journal website states that there are no article processing charges and no submission processing fees. DOAJ also records no publication fees. Because fee policies can change, authors should confirm the current fee page immediately before submission, particularly when preparing grant budgets or institutional open-access paperwork.

Publication Ethics and Research Data

EQA adopts the AlmaDL Journals Code of Ethics, which the journal says is inspired by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) core practices and principles of transparency and best practice in scholarly publishing. Authors, reviewers and editorial staff are expected to understand and apply these standards.

The journal encourages authors, when relevant, to follow Open Science and FAIR principles by depositing research data in trusted repositories according to international good practice and the AlmaDL Journals Data Policy. Researchers should therefore plan data availability, permissions, privacy, ethical approvals and repository selection early rather than treating them as last-minute submission tasks.

Is EQA a Good Match for Your Research?

A good journal match usually exists when the paper's central research problem directly concerns environmental quality and when the contribution would be understandable and useful to EQA's environmental, agricultural or biological science readership. A manuscript about soil chemistry, for example, is more likely to fit when it explains consequences for soil quality, contamination, ecosystem functioning, sustainable use or remediation than when it focuses only on an unrelated analytical technique.

How to Prepare a Stronger EQA-Aligned Manuscript

As a practical publication-readiness step, begin by writing a one-sentence fit statement: “This manuscript is relevant to EQA because it demonstrates…” If that sentence cannot connect your study clearly to environmental quality, resource sustainability, pollution effects, management or remediation, the journal may not be the strongest target.

1. Review recent EQA papers. Compare your topic, methods, geographic context and level of analysis with recent articles.
2. Make the environmental-quality contribution explicit. Do not leave the relevance buried in the discussion.
3. Strengthen the abstract. State the problem, methods, key quantified findings and practical or scientific significance within the journal's abstract limit.
4. Check methodological transparency. Sampling design, instruments, statistical methods, quality control and limitations should allow informed evaluation.
5. Use figures strategically. Environmental datasets often benefit from maps, concentration profiles, treatment comparisons or multivariate visualisations, but every figure should have a clear analytical purpose.
6. Align references and terminology. Use current environmental literature and apply EQA's citation style consistently.
7. Complete ethics and data checks. Confirm permissions, approvals, conflicts, funding, data availability and originality statements where relevant.

Common Reasons an EQA Submission Could Be Unsuitable

• The manuscript falls outside the journal's environmental-quality focus.
• The study is descriptive but does not establish a meaningful scientific or practical contribution.
• Methods are insufficiently explained or do not support the conclusions.
• The paper duplicates previously published work or is simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
• The manuscript exceeds format or length expectations without justification.
• Figures, tables or references do not meet technical requirements.
• English expression obscures the research question, methods or findings.
• The paper does not respond adequately to reviewer comments during revision.

These are practical risk areas based on the journal's stated screening criteria and general publication-readiness principles; they should not be interpreted as an official rejection checklist.

How Contentxprtz Can Support Publication Readiness

Preparing a manuscript for EQA requires more than correcting grammar. Authors need to demonstrate scope fit, communicate the environmental contribution clearly, follow the journal's structure and reference style, present data effectively, and respond carefully to editorial or reviewer feedback.

Contentxprtz can provide ethical support through academic editing, proofreading, journal formatting, reference and citation checks, manuscript assessment, cover-letter editing, reviewer-response editing and publication-readiness review. The purpose is to help authors present their own research clearly and in line with journal requirements; Contentxprtz does not control editorial decisions and cannot guarantee journal acceptance or publication.

Explore journal publication-readiness support

Final Journal-Fit Checklist

• Does the manuscript directly address soil, water, air or broader environmental quality?
• Is the environmental contribution clear in the title, abstract and discussion?
• Does the paper fit an accepted type: original research, review or short communication?
• Is the manuscript within the journal's current length and formatting expectations?
• Are all figures at suitable resolution and properly numbered?
• Are references alphabetical, unnumbered and consistent with the required style?
• Have all authors approved the submission and authorship order?
• Is the manuscript original and not under consideration elsewhere?
• Have ethics, data, funding and conflict-of-interest matters been addressed where relevant?
• Have you reconfirmed current Scopus status, metrics and institutional eligibility requirements?

Summary: EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality

EQA is an international, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal associated with the University of Bologna and focused on environmental quality across soil, water and air systems. Its scope includes contamination, ecological effects of pollutants, sustainable resource use, environmental management and remediation. The supplied record identifies Scopus Source ID 21101202300 and print ISSN 2039-9898; the journal's online ISSN is 2281-4485.

The journal uses single-blind peer review, normally involving two external referees after editorial screening. It publishes in English, currently states six issues per year, and reports no APC or submission fee. Authors considering EQA should verify current Scopus metrics and institutional requirements, read the latest author guidelines, compare their manuscript with recent EQA papers, and ensure that the environmental-quality contribution is explicit and well supported.

Conclusion

EQA can be a credible publication option for research that directly advances understanding or management of environmental quality, particularly across soil, water, air, pollution and remediation themes. The strongest submissions will combine clear scope alignment with transparent methods, well-supported conclusions and careful adherence to the journal's current author instructions.

Before submitting, reconfirm the live guidelines, Scopus record and any institutional eligibility rules that apply to your degree, funding or promotion process. If you need professional help preparing the manuscript, Contentxprtz can assist with ethical publication-readiness work while leaving the research, authorship and final submission decisions with you.