Environmental Science & Technology 'Under Review': What Each Status Means
If your Environmental Science & Technology submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Environmental Science & Technology? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Environmental Science & Technology, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Environmental Science & Technology review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 11.4, accepts about 20 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Environmental Science & Technology uses ACS Paragon Plus at acsparagonplus.acs.org. Editorial questions go to eic@es.acs.org, referencing your manuscript ID.
ES&T desk-rejects roughly 50 to 60 percent in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A ES&T submission readiness check flags environmental-significance gaps, analytical-methods completeness, and missing benchmarking that drive most desk rejections.
ES&T's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 50 to 60 percent rejected)
ES&T editors evaluate environmental-significance, analytical-methods completeness, and contribution depth. A desk rejection usually means scope mismatch (would fit Environmental Science & Technology Letters or specialty journal better).
Day 0: ACS Paragon Plus upload
The portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor matching the environmental-science subfield.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with environmental-science expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Environmental Science & Technology, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on environmental-implications and methods completeness.
How ES&T compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | ES&T | ES&T Letters | Environment International | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 50 to 60 percent | 40 to 50 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 40 to 50 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Editorial bar | Environmental chemistry/technology with broad impact | Short letters-format environmental | Total-environment scope | Broad environmental health |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your ES&T paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Environmental Science & Technology submission readiness check.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our ES&T manuscript fit check flags environmental-significance and methods gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the ES&T manuscript fit check.
Last verified: ES&T author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus portal at acsparagonplus.acs.org, and editorial contact at eic@es.acs.org.
The ES&T reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What ES&T asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Environmental significance | Does the finding affect environmental science or management? | Frame around an environmental decision |
Analytical methods | Are methods appropriate and validated? | Include LOD, LOQ, recovery, precision |
Real-world relevance | Tested on environmental samples or systems? | Validate on relevant environmental matrices |
Benchmarking | Quantitative comparison to state-of-the-art? | Include benchmarking table |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce? | Provide detailed protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with ES&T manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Lab-only studies without environmental relevance. ES&T expects environmental-system validation.
Analytical methods without figures-of-merit. Reviewers verify rigor.
Wrong ACS environmental venue chosen. ES&T competes with ES&T Letters, ACS ES&T Water/Air/Engineering.
Methodology note
This page was created from ES&T's public author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared ACS Paragon Plus admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
Environmental Science & Technology reports a median first-decision time of 4 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact eic@es.acs.org, referencing the manuscript ID.
Your paper passed the desk screen and reviewers are being invited.
Yes. The 4 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Environmental Science & Technology, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Same journal, next question
- Environmental Science & Technology Review Time: What Authors Can Actually Expect
- Environmental Science & Technology Submission Process: Submission Guide
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Environmental Science & Technology (2026)
- Is Environmental Science & Technology a Good Journal? Fit Verdict
- Environmental Science Technology AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for ES&T Authors
- Environmental Science Technology Pre Submission Checklist: 12 Items Editors Verify Before Peer Review
Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.