ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK OF HEAVY METALS AND PESTICIDES USING BIOINDICATOR PLANTS AND MICROORGANISMS

Environmental contamination by heavy metals and pesticides poses serious ecological risks due to their persistence and toxicity. This study evaluates contamination levels using bioindicator plants and microorganisms and assesses ecological risks through integrated chemical and biological approaches. Samples were collected along a pollution gradient and analyzed using instrumental and microbiological methods. The results indicate that bioindicators effectively reveal sublethal and chronic effects of pollutants, while risk indices (CF, BCF, TF, RQ, RI) provide a quantitative assessment. The integrated approach improves environmental monitoring and decision-making.