A seminar was held at the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science of Baku State University (BSU), where PhD student Orkhan Hajiyev presented his research titled “Results of Active Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Air in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula Using Moss Transplants of Sphagnum girgensohnii.” His dissertation is supervised by Professor Sevinj Hajiyeva, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, and Associate Professor Zarifa Veliyeva, Candidate of Chemical Sciences.

The study assessed the quality of atmospheric air in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula—areas influenced by industrial activity and transportation—using the active biomonitoring method. Moss transplants of the species Sphagnum girgensohnii were employed as bioindicators.

The findings revealed elevated concentrations of several elements, including Na, Cl, I, Al, V, Pb, Th, and U, exceeding maximum permissible concentration (MPC) levels at certain locations. Localized increases in toxic metals such as Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn were also observed. Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected in several industrial zones.

The primary sources of pollution were identified as oil refining and gas production facilities, the metallurgy and chemical industries, and vehicle emissions.

The results offer valuable insights into the current state of air quality across the Absheron region. The applied methodology has proven effective in local conditions and is recommended for future integration into large-scale environmental monitoring programs.