Abstract
In June 2008, a surveillance study for metals in honeybees was performed in the Netherlands. Randomly, 150 apiaries were selected. In each apiary, five colonies were sampled. Per apiary, the hive samples were pooled. The apiary sample was analysed for Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V and Zn. All metals could be detected in all apiaries. As, Li, Sb, Sn and V were detected in part of the apiaries. The overall picture showed a regional pattern. In apiaries in the east of the Netherlands, Al, Ba, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Ti are found in higher concentrations compared to the west. In-region variation was demonstrated, indicating local effects. The vicinity of the apiaries was mapped afterwards and characterised as land uses of >50 % agricultural area, >50 % wooded area, >50 % urban area and mixed land use within a circle of 28 km2 around the apiary. The results indicated that in apiaries located in >50 % wooded areas, significantly higher concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Sr, Ti and Zn were found compared to agricultural, urban and mixed land use areas. We conclude that (1) the ratio between metal concentrations varies per region, demonstrating spatial differences, and (2) there is in-region local variation per metal. The results indicate the impact of land use on metal concentrations in honeybees. For qualitative bioindication studies, regional, local and land use effects should be taken into account.
Highlights
Along with collecting nectar, pollen, water and propolis, honeybees pick up particles deposited in the flowers and other places where bees collect resins and water
The number of foraging trips varies from some hundreds to many thousands of trips per day, resulting in hundreds to many thousands microsamples accumulated in the honeybee colony in the hive
Following the objective of the study— collect data on the spatial variation of metal concentrations in honeybee colonies in the Netherlands—sampling of in-hive bees and subsequent pooling of the bees per apiary were preferred over sampling of forager bees of individual hives per apiary
Summary
Pollen, water and propolis, honeybees pick up particles deposited in the flowers and other places where bees collect resins (propolis) and water. In addition to pollen collected from the anthers, the branched hairs on the bee’s body hold non-floral particles originating from atmospheric deposition. In this way, each honeybee can act as an environment microsampler and a honeybee colony as a sampler unit. In the active foraging period of the honeybee colony, about a quarter of the colony’s population is a forager bee. The number of foragers, actively collecting food, depends on the colony size, the colony’s need for pollen, nectar, water and propolis, the availability of food and the time of year. The feature of the honeybee of unintentionally collecting non-floral particles makes the honeybee suitable for qualitative bioindication, providing information about the environment
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