Research Information System
IAG REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF GEOMORPHOLOGY ''Geoheritage and Geodiversity'', Nevşehir, Turkey, 12 - 14 September 2023, pp.89
Thermal power plants operating with fossil fuels such as lignite play an important role in the
emission of heavy metals, which are considered environmental pollutants, into the
atmosphere. Operating in the Orhaneli basin (Bursa, NW Türkiye), Orhaneli Thermal Power
Plant (OTPP) is an important source of pollution in terms of air quality in Southern Marmara,
where there are important agricultural lands and water resources, as well as residential areas.
Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the air quality in terms of metal emissions in this
depression surrounded by high lands. In this study, bryophyte, which does not have a
protective layer and absorbs pollutants in the atmosphere, was chosen as a quantitative
biomonitor to investigate toxic metals. The species collected from different distances from the
OTPP were determined as Hypnum cupressiforme, Amblystegium serpens and Homalethicum
sericeum. The metals accumulated in bryophytes as well as in underlying rock samples were
determined using the ICP-OES technique to identify whether the metal sources were of
anthropogenic or natural origin, and Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) calculations were made
accordingly. The data obtained showed that the maximum BCF value for chromium was 145.39,
3.823 for lead and 3.17 for Cd in the studied samples. It is concluded that heavy metals in the
fly ashes of OTPP are found at remarkable amounts within the tissues of studied samples. This
explains the fact that the quality of the air should be monitored in terms of the health of the
population living in the basin.