Abstract
Three beehive matrices, sampled in six different apiaries from West France, were analyzed for the presence of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH4: benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene). Samples were collected during four different periods in both 2008 and 2009. Honey samples showed the lowest levels of PAH4 contamination (min=0.03μgkg−1; max=5.80μgkg−1; mean=0.82μgkg−1; Sd=1.17). Bee samples exhibited higher levels of PAH4 contamination (min=0.32μgkg−1; max=73.83μgkg−1; mean=7.03μgkg−1; Sd=17.83) with a great dispersion of the concentrations due to four main events of high concentrations. Pollen samples showed only one major episode with the highest PAH4 concentration found (min=0.33μgkg−1; max=129.41μgkg−1; mean=7.10μgkg−1; Sd=22.28). The PAH4 concentrations found were significantly influenced by the landscape context for all beehive samples.
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