Abstract
The inspiration for this study was the anxiety of Warsaw beekeepers, who raised the question whether location of hives in large urban agglomerations results in changes in concentrations of xenobiotics, toxic elements, and micronutrients in honey bees. Preliminary studies required elaboration of the research methodology, as the studied object is characterized by a low degree of homogeneity and the method of sample preparation affects obtained results. From many tested approaches, the use of washed and milled abdomens of the bees is recommended. Results obtained for such prepared samples are slightly lower than for whole bees, but their repeatability is higher, which enables easier interpretation of the trends and comparison of different locations. The contents of selected elements (As, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were compared in bees from urban and rural areas. The studies were supported by pesticides analysis. Also, it was checked whether these substances are accumulated on the surface or inside the bee’s body. The research indicates the markers of contamination: Al, As, and Cr on the surface and Cd inside the bodies of honey bees. The location of the hives does not influence significantly the content of “toxic,” nutrient metals and metalloids in bees (slightly higher levels of As, Al, Pb, and Cd were found in bees from urban areas). In terms of exposure to these elements and pesticides, the large city environment is not harmful for honey bees.
Highlights
The threat of extinction of honey bees is an important subject in terms of ecology, and for the economy
Regardless of the place of their existence, honey bees are exposed to a variety of factors that contribute to lowering of their immunity, which results in increased mortality of bees (Johnson 2008)
Anthropogenic factors are of a great importance, as they contribute to accumulation of toxic elements in plants, contaminate pollen, nectar, and raw materials used for the production of bee products
Summary
The threat of extinction of honey bees is an important subject in terms of ecology, and for the economy. Regardless of the place of their existence, honey bees are exposed to a variety of factors that contribute to lowering of their immunity, which results in increased mortality of bees (Johnson 2008). Anthropogenic factors are of a great importance, as they contribute to accumulation of toxic elements in plants, contaminate pollen, nectar, and raw materials used for the production of bee products. Chemical protection of plants, which is an important aspect of crop production, poses a threat for honey bees (García-Valcárcel et al 2016). Plant protection products in relation to honey bees show toxicity by contact and ingestion (Porrini et al 2003; Bargańska et al 2016)
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