Biomonitoring Studies in Geothermal Areas: A Review

Biomonitoring is a widely employed approach to track changes in the environment.Its use to assess the impact of geothermal energy exploitation for power productionis comparatively minor, and largely referred to Tuscany, Italy, geothermal fields. Mostexamples describe impacts on vegetation, particularly lichens. Biomonitoring proveduseful as a tool to reveal the distribution of specific contaminants (e.g., mercury andH2S), and as an overall indicator of the impact on ecosystems. In consideration of thecomparatively low cost/benefit ratio, the use of biomonitoring should be encouraged. Inparticular, it could prove useful to establish the natural background prior to developmentof geothermal exploitation, and to document any subsequent change.