Concentration of Heavy Metals in Pollen and Bees Osmia bicornis L. in Three Different Habitats in the Łowicz District in Central Poland

Barbara Zajdel (), Paweł Migdał, Agnieszka Murawska, Agata Jojczyk, Ewelina Berbeć, Kornelia Kucharska and Jakub Gąbka
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Barbara Zajdel: Apiculture Division, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Paweł Migdał: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Agnieszka Murawska: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Agata Jojczyk: Department of Landscape Art, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Ewelina Berbeć: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Kornelia Kucharska: Department of Animal Environment Biology, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Jakub Gąbka: Apiculture Division, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of our research was to compare the levels of pollution in different habitats based on the concentrations of heavy metals found in pollen and the organisms of Osmia bicornis L. bees in three habitats: orchards, berry plantations, and urban habitats (near by power plant, landfill, residential areas, and heavy vehicle traffic). The concentration of Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined. Samples were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), with evaluations being carried out three times for each sample. Bee nests were also analyzed concerning reproduction and the presence of parasites. There were no significant differences in the content of heavy metals Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in pollen samples between the three habitat types. Bee samples differed only in their Zn content, which was significantly higher in orchards (2.67 mg/kg) than urban habitats (0.80 mg/kg) and berry plantation (0.94 mg/kg). Habitat type had no effect on most bee reproductive parameters (percentage of occupied nest tubes, population growth). Our results show that bees pollinating crops in, for example orchards or berry plantations are exposed to heavy metals to a similar extent to those urban areas.

Keywords: bioindicators; heavy metals; pollen; bees; Osmia bicornis; orchards (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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