Direct numerical simulations of the turbulent dispersion of a buoyant line of hot fluid released at the inlet of a plane channel flow are reported (Re-tau = 180, Gr = 10(7) and Pr = 0.7). Results of turbulent dispersion of a neutrally buoyant scalar and mixed convection flow are also included. The buoyancy force induces a vertical movement that, although small in mean, exhibits a significant fluctuation in the vertical velocity component and deflects the plume with the consequent loss of symmetry found in the neutrally buoyant results. The modification of the budgets for the time averaged momentum and heat transport equations reflects the rearranging of the different contributions induced by the buoyancy force. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.