The TÜBİTAK 1001 project titled “Investigating the Effects of Traffic-Induced Pollution on the Anatomical and Physiological Characteristics, Antioxidant and Heavy Metal Contents, Seed Quality, and Sapling Production of Certain Medicinal and Aromatic Plants”, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aşkın GÖKTÜRK and involving researchers Prof. Dr. Melahat ÖZCAN, Prof. Dr. Şule CEYLAN, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Funda ERŞEN BAK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmet YENER, Dr. Kazım Onur DEMİRASLAN, Research Assistant Burak KILIÇ, and Lecturer Abidin GÜMRÜKÇÜOĞLU, has been approved.

The project, with a duration of 36 months and a budget of 1.6 million TL, focuses on determining the following aspects in medicinal and aromatic plants growing along major road routes in the Artvin region and collected by local communities, based on traffic pollution levels:

1. Antioxidant activities,
2. Physiological properties,
3. Seed quality,
4. Sapling production potential,
5. Changes in leaf anatomy,
6. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and plants,
   and the relationships between these factors.

The study examines the effects of traffic density on naturally growing medicinal and aromatic plants in Artvin and its surroundings. It covers three different levels of traffic pollution (high, low, and control groups) along the Artvin-Borçka, Artvin-Varyant, Varyant-Ardanuç, and Varyant-Şavşat routes. Samples of leaves, fruits, seeds, and soil collected from plants such as sumac, oregano, and blackthorn will undergo heavy metal and antioxidant analyses.

In this study, pollution maps are being created using the AERMOD model, and the phenolic compound content, antioxidant activity, and heavy metal levels in the plants will be evaluated. This will help determine which areas are suitable for medicinal and aromatic plant usage and food safety. Additionally, the research aims to contribute to the systematic production of these plants, increase the propagation of local seeds, enhance the value of the products, and create employment opportunities.

We wish the project team success and look forward to their continued achievements.