Determination of Seasonal Variation of Air Pollution in Rize Province by Using a Type of Biomonitor Moss Hypnum cupressiforme

In this study, in order to determine the level of seasonal heavy metal pollution in Rize province, by placing Hypnum cupresiforme (a species of moss) samples into twelwe stations, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Pb and Al concentrations were determined by using EDXRF Spectrometer (Epsilon 5, PANanalytical).  The mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Pb and Al were found to be 9.5 µg.g -1 , 2370 µg.g -1 , 5.4 µg.g -1 , 15.9 µg.g -1 , 5.3 µg.g -1 and 3712 µg.g -1 , respectively. These levels were compared to mean values obtained from the other studies in Turkey. In this study, Al value was higher than the mean values obtained from the national studies, whereas Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb values were found to be lower. In addition, the results obtained from this study were compared with the permissible heavy metal limits for the plants by international organisations.