A scientific seminar titled "Biomonitoring of Air Pollution in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula Using Moss Transplants" was held at the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science of Baku State University (BSU).

During the seminar, doctoral student Orkhan Hajiyev presented a report on the topic. The research is being conducted under the scientific supervision of Dr. Sevinj Hajiyeva (Doctor of Chemical Sciences) and Zarifa Veliyeva (Candidate of Chemical Sciences).

In his presentation, Hajiyev highlighted the importance of biomonitoring in modern environmental research, outlining the methodology used and the results obtained. He emphasized that, for the first time in Azerbaijan, the peat moss species Sphagnum girgensohnii was used within the "moss-transplant" technology framework. This species was selected due to its high sorption capacity and sensitivity to atmospheric pollutants.

As part of the study, moss samples collected from an ecologically clean region of Russia were deployed at 21 locations across Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. After a three-month exposure period, the samples—having accumulated airborne pollutants—were analyzed using neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and gas chromatography. The results revealed that, at certain locations, concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons significantly exceeded background levels.

Using ArcGIS technology, the spatial distribution of these pollutants was visualized, and pollution "hot spots" were identified and mapped.

The seminar concluded by emphasizing that the moss-transplant method represents a cost-effective and efficient tool for long-term atmospheric monitoring. The study’s findings hold significant potential for assessing air pollution levels, identifying environmental risks, and informing regional environmental policy development.