The Use of Natural Bee Products as Bioindicators of Environmental Pollution - The Detection of Heavy Metals

Abstract

Can be pollen used as a biological indicator of environmental pollution. So this work aims to determine some of the heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn, and Cu in bee pollen from different areas in the Pelagonija region. The concentration of heavy metals in pollen depends on the geographical area, plants, and soil. And also, the composition of pollen varies with the source location, source plant, etc. The concentrations of transition metals copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) Lead (Pb) were measured by Gas Chromatography. The samples were collected from four different places, as well as a general picture of the phenomenology of the targeted sites, and accordingly obtained the ecological picture of the possible contamination. Also, the data of the composition of the soil were collected from the same locations, and are taken into consideration. Pollen collected by bees (Apis mellifera Мacedonica sub-species) is used as a bioindicator for further eco monitoring. The concentration of heavy metals contents in pollen is varies from sample to sample, due to the difference in the geographical area, various plants species, and soil. The composition of pollen varies with the source location, source plant, and handling. We have collected samples during the same season from the bee apiaries, located in industrial-urban and rural areas. The availability of heavy metals in plants depends on soil reaction, mineral colloids, soil humidity, microbiological activity, and organic matter content. Hence pollen can be used as a biological indicator of environmental pollution.