How to Cite Environmental Science & Technology in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Environmental Science & Technology in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Environmental Science & Technology presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Environmental Science & Technology's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Environmental Science & Technology Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Environmental Science & Technology-Specific Notes:
When citing articles from Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T), a journal published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), it's important to follow the specific formatting requirements that differ slightly from standard APA citation rules. In ES&T, the format for citing journal articles typically includes the authors' last names followed by their initials without spaces or periods, the year of publication in parentheses, the title of the article in italics, the journal name in italics, the volume number in bold, and the page range. Unlike APA, where up to 20 authors are listed, ES&T requires the listing of all authors up to a certain number (usually ten); if there are more, list the first ten followed by “et al.” This differs from APA's rule of listing up to 20 authors before using "et al."

A common point of confusion arises from the differences in punctuation and formatting between ACS and APA styles, such as the lack of spaces between initials in author names and the italicization of article titles rather than journal names in APA. Students often mistakenly apply APA rules to ES&T references, resulting in formatting errors. Furthermore, ES&T citations require specific attention to detail with volume and issue numbers, where the volume is bolded—a requirement not present in APA.

Best practices for citing ES&T include carefully reviewing the ACS style guide and using citation management tools that support ACS formatting. Students should double-check their citations against published articles in ES&T to ensure consistency and accuracy. Familiarity with the nuances of ACS style, particularly regarding the order and presentation of information, will help avoid common pitfalls.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with Environmental Science & Technology specifics
- Locate citation info on Environmental Science & Technology's website
- Handle Environmental Science & Technology's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-31 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Environmental Science & Technology

When conducting academic research using the Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) journal, it’s essential to accurately gather citation information for your references. Here’s a step-by-step guide tailored to locating the necessary citation information on the ES&T website, which is hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

  1. Accessing the Journal:
    - Start by visiting the ES&T journal homepage, part of the ACS Publications website. You can do this by typing "Environmental Science & Technology ACS Publications" into a search engine or directly visiting pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag.

  2. Locating an Article:
    - Use the search function or browse through recent issues or articles. Once you've selected an article, click the title to view the full text.

  3. Finding the Author(s):
    - Authors are typically listed at the top of the article page, just beneath the article title. You will see the names of all authors involved. If you're on the abstract page, the authors’ names are prominently displayed below the article title.

  4. Identifying the Publication Date:
    - The publication date is located directly below the authors' names. It will often include the year, month, and day of publication, ensuring you have the most specific information for your citation.

  5. Determining the Title:
    - The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. Ensure you copy it exactly as it appears, including any subtitles or special characters.

  6. Finding the URL/Access Information:
    - The URL for the article can be found in your browser’s address bar. This is the direct link to the article’s page, which you will need for your citation. Make sure to copy it accurately.

  7. Additional Citation Details:
    - For complete citation information, look for the DOI (Digital Object Identifier), often found near the top of the article page. This is a unique identifier that is crucial for academic referencing.

Unique Features of ES&T for Citation:

By following these steps, students can accurately compile the necessary citation information from the Environmental Science & Technology journal, ensuring adherence to academic standards and the APA 7th edition guidelines.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Environmental Science & Technology Citation

How to Create an Environmental Science & Technology Citation in APA Format

If you need to cite an article from the journal Environmental Science & Technology in APA format, follow these detailed steps. This guide will help you create accurate citations, which are essential for any academic paper.

What You Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Identify the Article Information (Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes)
    - Action: Begin by locating the article you need to cite. This can be done through a library database or directly on the journal's website.
    - Verification: Ensure you have the following details: authors’ names, publication year, title of the article, journal title, volume number, issue number, page range, and DOI link.
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use the advanced search options in databases to filter results by publication date and topic to quickly find the relevant article.

  2. Format the Author(s) Names (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Write the authors' last names followed by their initials. If there are multiple authors, separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.
    - Verification: Ensure that the authors are listed in the order they appear in the article. For example, “Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. B.”
    - Tip for Efficiency: If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 followed by an ellipsis (…) and then the final author's name.

  3. Include the Publication Year (Time Estimate: 2 minutes)
    - Action: Directly after the authors’ names, include the year of publication in parentheses.
    - Verification: Check the article for the correct year. For example, “(2023).”
    - Tip for Efficiency: Make sure to double-check for the publication year if the journal issue is current.

  4. Write the Title of the Article (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Write the title of the article in sentence case. This means only the first word of the title and subtitle, as well as any proper nouns, should be capitalized.
    - Verification: Confirm that the title matches exactly as it appears in the article. For example, “The impact of climate change on urban ecosystems.”
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use a text editor to easily format the title as you type.

  5. Add the Journal Title, Volume, and Issue (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Write the title of the journal in italics, followed by a comma. Then, include the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (not italicized), and a comma. Finally, add the page range.
    - Verification: Make sure to check the formatting, as it is crucial. For example, “Environmental Science & Technology, 57(5), 1234-1245.”
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation management tool to help format this part, if available.

  6. Include the DOI (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Finish your citation with the DOI link. This should be formatted as “https://doi.org/” followed by the unique DOI number for the article.
    - Verification: Confirm that the DOI is correct by checking the article’s webpage or PDF version. For example, “https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01234.”
    - Tip for Efficiency: Copy and paste the DOI directly from the article to avoid typing errors.

  7. Put It All Together (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Combine all the parts you have formatted into a single reference entry. Ensure proper punctuation and spacing between elements.
    - Verification: Review your entry against the APA citation rules to ensure it meets all requirements. For example: “Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. B. (2023). The impact of climate change on urban ecosystems. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(5), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01234.”
    - Tip for Efficiency: Use a reference management software, like Zotero or EndNote, to help automate the citation process in the future.

  8. Double-Check Your Citation (Time Estimate: 5 minutes)
    - Action: Carefully review your citation for any errors in spelling, punctuation, or formatting.
    - Verification: Cross-reference with the APA style guide to ensure accuracy.
    - Tip for Efficiency: If you have multiple citations

Real Examples from Environmental Science & Technology

This section provides authentic citation examples from Environmental Science & Technology using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As an AI language model, I can't access external content such as the search results from Google or provide real-time data. However, I can guide you on how to format citations in APA 7th edition style and present hypothetical examples based on a typical structure for articles in Environmental Science & Technology. Here are some crafted examples of what you might find:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

  1. Scenario Description: A recent study by a single author on the impact of microplastics in marine ecosystems published in Environmental Science & Technology.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Smith, J. L. (2023). Impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(4), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2023abc

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Smith, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Smith (2023) discusses the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems.

  5. Notes: This example highlights the work of a single researcher, showcasing the current environmental challenges related to microplastics.

Example 2: Corporate Author

  1. Scenario Description: A report by the Environmental Protection Agency on air quality trends published in Environmental Science & Technology.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Air quality trends and implications for public health. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(6), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2023def

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Environmental Protection Agency, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - According to the Environmental Protection Agency (2023), recent air quality trends have significant implications for public health.

  5. Notes: This example demonstrates how to cite a corporate author, a common occurrence in environmental science publications.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

  1. Scenario Description: A collaborative research paper by multiple authors on renewable energy innovations.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Johnson, M. T., Lee, S. R., & Patel, N. K. (2024). Innovations in renewable energy technology: A review. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(2), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2024ghi

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Johnson, Lee, & Patel, 2024)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Johnson, Lee, and Patel (2024) explore various innovations in renewable energy technology.

  5. Notes: Citing multiple authors highlights collaborative efforts in the field and the importance of diverse expertise in environmental science research.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

  1. Scenario Description: An article with a subtitle focusing on a specific case study in sustainable agriculture.

  2. Complete Reference List Citation:
    - Nguyen, L. T., & Chen, Y. (2023). Sustainable agriculture in Vietnam: A case study of rice paddies. Environmental Science & Technology, 57(9), 345-360. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2023jkl

  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Nguyen & Chen, 2023)

  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Nguyen and Chen (2023) provide a detailed case study of sustainable agriculture practices in Vietnam.

  5. Notes: This example is noteworthy due to its focus on a specific geographical area and its practical implications for sustainable practices.

These examples follow the APA 7th edition guidelines for various types of authorship and article types you might encounter in academic journals like Environmental Science & Technology.

Common Issues When Citing Environmental Science & Technology

Finding Authors

Issue Description:
Students often have trouble identifying the correct authors when citing articles from Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). This problem arises due to the presence of multiple contributing authors and the way they are listed on the journal's webpage.

Why It Happens:
ES&T, like many scientific journals, often involves collaborative research, leading to numerous authors per paper. The listing format on the website can be confusing, as it may not clearly distinguish between authors and contributors or editors.

Solution:
1. Navigate to the article page on the ES&T website.
2. Look specifically for the section labeled "Authors," typically located near the article's title or abstract.
3. Copy the full list of authors as presented, ensuring to maintain the order. In APA format, list up to 20 authors. If there are more than 20, list the first 19, an ellipsis, and then the final author.

Before Example:
Incorrect: Smith, J., & Doe, J.

After Example:
Correct: Smith, J., Doe, J., Johnson, A., Lee, C., & Patel, R.

Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students frequently struggle with formatting dates correctly, particularly when the article's publication date is not explicitly stated.

Why It Happens:
ES&T articles often have several dates listed: submission, acceptance, and publication. This can be confusing as students may not know which date to use.

Solution:
1. Use the publication date, which can usually be found at the top of the article page or in the citation information section.
2. Format the date in the APA style as Year, Month Day (e.g., 2023, March 15).

Before Example:
Incorrect: March 2023

After Example:
Correct: 2023, March 15

URL Handling

Issue Description:
Handling URLs correctly for ES&T can be challenging, especially when accessing articles through institutional databases rather than directly from the journal's website.

Why It Happens:
URLs can vary depending on access points. Direct links can be long and complex, while database access often provides proxy URLs that are temporary.

Solution:
1. If accessing directly from the ES&T website, use the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) as the URL for stability and persistence.
2. Format the DOI as a URL: https://doi.org/[DOI number].

Before Example:
Incorrect: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es100000a

After Example:
Correct: https://doi.org/10.1021/es100000a

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Accessing full-text articles can be problematic when students encounter paywalls or restricted access.

Why It Happens:
ES&T is a subscription-based journal. Many articles are behind paywalls, requiring institutional access or payment.

Solution:
1. Access ES&T through your university's library portal to ensure you have access via institutional subscriptions.
2. If access is still restricted, consider using interlibrary loan services or contacting the author directly for a copy.

Before Example:
Student attempts to access directly and encounters a paywall.

After Example:
Student accesses through their university library's portal, ensuring unrestricted access to the full text.

Conclusion

Citing Environmental Science & Technology requires careful attention to detail. By understanding and addressing these common issues—author identification, correct date usage, stable URL handling, and access requirements—students can effectively navigate the specific challenges posed by this journal. Remember, adhering to APA 7th edition guidelines ensures clarity and consistency in academic writing.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Environmental Science & Technology

Q: How can I find the citation information for an article on the Environmental Science & Technology website?

A: On the Environmental Science & Technology website, navigate to the article's webpage. Scroll down to the bottom or look for a "Cite this article" or "Citation" link. This will often provide you with the necessary citation details like DOI, authors, and publication date.

Q: How should I format authors from Environmental Science & Technology when citing in APA 7th edition?

A: Environmental Science & Technology may list authors in a unique format, often with initials. In APA format, list up to 20 authors by their last name followed by their initials, separated by commas, and an ampersand before the last author. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the last author's name.

Q: How do I cite the publication date of an Environmental Science & Technology article in APA format?

A: The publication date for articles in Environmental Science & Technology is typically located near the title or at the top of the article. Use the year in parentheses, e.g., (2023), directly following the author names in your citation.

Q: What are the URL and access requirements for citing an Environmental Science & Technology article?

A: When citing an article, include the URL or DOI in the citation. For Environmental Science & Technology, the DOI is preferred and can often be found on the article's webpage. Ensure the link is active and direct; use "https://doi.org/" followed by the DOI number.

Q: How does citing an article from Environmental Science & Technology differ from other journal articles in APA format?

A: While Environmental Science & Technology follows standard journal citation formats, the key difference may be in the detailed author lists and the prominence of DOI use. Always check the journal's website for any specific citation suggestions or tools provided.

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