Medycyna Wet. 62 (10), 1200-1201, 2006
Spodniewska A., Romaniuk K.
Residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons in bees in relation to apiary location
It is unknown whether bees flying around entomophilous plants at a radius of several kilometers from their hives accumulate similar amounts of HCH and DDT. In view of this, the study aimed to determine the percentage (%) of bee colonies accumulating HCH and DDT in relation to apiary location. Studies were carried out on 4 apiaries with a variety of different nectars. The presence of HCH and DDT was ascertained in bee samples from 2 apiaries, and only HCH in the remaining apiaries. The greatest percentage of colonies in which both pesticides were found was in an apiary located on the outskirts of Olsztyn. 0.0101-0.0500 µg/g of lipid matter (l.m.) of HCH and DDT was found in 20-33% of the colonies in this apiary, vestigial amount of these pesticides (up to 0.0101 µg/g l.m.) in 6.7-13.3%, and the largest concentration of chlorinated hydrocarbons (0.0701-0.0800 µg/g l.m.). Only HCH was contained in 6.7% of the colonies of bees flying around nectar located on sandy soils; 20-40% of the colonies accumulated 0.0201-0.0500 µg/g l.m. of this pesticide, whereas in apiaries where bees mainly accessed Lindens, 66.7% of the colonies had a low HCH concentration and 20% were within a range of 0.00401-0.0500 µg/g l.m. and 6.7% had more than 0.0501 µg/g l.m. In an apiary in the Piska Forest where chlorinated hydrocarbons had been used for pest control as recently as in the 1980's, the presence of trace amounts of HCH and DDT were found in all bee colonies, and HCH in 50%. The remaining bee colonies contained only HCH (0.0201-0.0700 µg/g l.m). The results indicate the consistency in bee's habits of collecting nectar from particular plants and that there is variability within the levels of environmental pollution with chlorinated hydrocarbons. To ensure a conclusive evaluation of residues of chemical compounds in bees and bee products, at least 15 colonies should be examined within each apiary.
Keywords: apiary, bees, HCH, DDT