Tracking Air Quality Through Time with Tilia tomentosa Moench (Silver Linden) Trees as a Bioindicator

Tilia tomentosa Moench (silver linden) trees were evaluated as a potential bioindicator species for the tracking of metal- containing particulate air pollutants. Air quality was evaluated between 1962 and 2021 in the Çaycuma sites of Zonguldak. The cobalt, nickel, and lead elemental contents were analyzed in the wood, outer bark, and inner bark of the Tilia tomentosa growing naturally in the Çaycuma district using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The lack of difference between the organs in the study indicates that the pollution level in the region is relatively low. Based on mean values measured in the outer bark, the lowest concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and lead were observed during 1997–2001, at 16.7, 23.8, and 44.3 mg/kg, respectively. According to the mean values in the inner bark, the lowest concentrations of cobalt, nickel, and lead were observed during 1987–1991, at 14.6, 21.1, and 39.0 mg/kg, respectively. Tilia tomentosa exhibited adequate spatial and temporal variations in air pollutant concentrations, showed high positive correlations with air pollutant levels, and was less susceptible to climatic stressors than the other native species.

Cite this article as: Pulatoğlu, A. Ö., Işınkaralar, K., Yiğit, N., & Şevik, H. (2026). Tracking air quality through time with Tilia tomentosa Moench (silver linden) trees as a bioindicator. Forestist, 76, 0184, doi:10.5152/forestist.2026.25184.