Honey Bees as Indicators of Radionuclide Contamination: Comparative Studies of Contaminant Levels in Forager and Nurse Bees and in the Flowers of Three Plant Species

Abstract

Two separate field experiments were conducted as part of ongoing research concerning the use of honey bees (Apis mellifera) as indicators of environmental radionuclide contamination. The experiments were conducted in a study site containing radionuclide contamination above background levels. The first experiment compared levels of radionuclides found in forager bees to levels found in nurse bees. Bees were collected from colonies, analyzed for concentrations of radionuclides, and the results were compared using statistical methods. Results indicated that there is no significant difference between the contaminant levels in forager and nurse bees. A second experiment compared the levels of radionuclides found in the flowers of three plant species growing in the study site: salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima), white sweet clover (Melilotus albus), and rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus). Results indicated that there is no significant difference in the amounts of radionuclides found in the flowers of these three plants.