Use of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) as bioindicators for assessment and source appointment of metal pollution

Abstract

The ability of honeybees to collect particulate matter (PM) on their bodies makes them outstanding bioindicators. In this study, two cities, Pančevo (PA) and Vršac (VS), South Banat district, Vojvodina, Serbia, were covered with two sampling sites each. The aims of this study were to determine concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn in the bodies of honeybees during July and September of 2013, 2014, and 2015 and to analyze their spatial and temporal variations and sources of analyzed elements, as well as to assess pollution levels in the two cities. Significant temporal differences were found for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, and Zn. Trend of reduction in metal concentrations in bodies of honeybees during the years was observed. Statistically significant spatial variations were observed for Al, Ba, and Sr, with higher concentrations in VS. PCA and CA analyses were used for the first time to assess sources of metals found in honeybees. These analyses showed two sources of metals. Co, Cd, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, and partly Cu were contributed to anthropogenic sources, while Ca, Al, Mg, Cr, Ba, Sr, and Ni were contributed to natural sources.

Keywords: Bioindicators; Biomonitoring; Honeybees; Metal pollution; Particulate matter.