Abstract
In this study, honeybees, propolis, air, soil and plant samples were gathered from two contrasting sites Ħal Luqa (industrial area) and L-Imġarr (agricultural area) in mainland Malta. Superficial heavy metals were extracted from the samples and tested using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry in order to determine the concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn, Ni and Hg. The honeybee and propolis samples were digested using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and then ashed using a muffle furnace in order to prepare mineral solutions. Simultaneously the air samplers, soil and plant samples were washed using de-ionised water in order to extract the heavy metals settling on sample surfaces. Different methods of filtration were used in order to extract the metals from the surfaces of the samples. The most abundant metals in honeybees and propolis, and on plant and soil samples, were Sn and As (p<0.0001). In air samples0, the most abundant metal was Pb followed by Sn (p<0.05). These findings indicate that the honeybee and its propolis are good indicators for Sn and As contamination.
Highlights
The biodiversity of an island usually evolves with a change in climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities
Several studies were conducted on the use of the honeybee as a potential biomarker for environmental pollutants, heavy metals (Formicki, Gren, Stawarz, Zysk & Gal, 2013; Roman, Madras-Majewska & Popiela-Pleban, 2011; Matin et al, 2016; Finger, Kelte Filho, Torres & Quináia, 2014)
This study was conducted to determine the relationship of metals and metalloids on environmental surfaces with the presence of these elements in the honeybees and propolis within the same temporal and spatial setting
Summary
The biodiversity of an island usually evolves with a change in climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities. Changes in biodiversity and surrounding conditions may pose a threat to the survival of organisms, including sensitive fauna and flora. The Maltese climate is typically Mediterranean, and defined as arid to semi-arid, which is highly influenced by the surrounding Mediterranean Sea (Sultana & Falzon, 2002). The climate is bi-seasonal, having warm dry summers and cool wet winters with an annual rainfall of circa 530 mm. The wet season, being from the months of October to March, varies from year to year. The islands are subject to prolonged hours of sunshine and mild air temperatures (Schembri, 1997)
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