CHANGES in the QUANTITY of HEAVY METALS in the HAEMOLYMPH of WORKER BEES FED MICRO-ELEMENT CONTAMINATED SUGAR SOLUTION

Abstract: The study was initiated by making 6 colonies (set in 10-frame Dadan Blatt bee-hives) equal by the method of analogues. The bees in the control group (3 colonies) were fed sugar solution without heavy metal additives, while those in the experimental group (3 colonies) were fed sugar solution containing 1,5 ppm Pb, 1,5 ppm Cd, 2,0 ppm Cu, 50,0 ppm Zn, 80,0 ppm Fe, 20,0 ppm Mn, 20,0 ppm Co. At the end of the experimental period (after the end of feeding) haemolymph samples were taken. After feeding the bees with sugar solution contaminated with Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co and Fe the quantity of all of these elements in the haemolymph of workers increased. The greatest percentage changes occurred in the levels of Mn, Cd and Pb (respectively 21,7, 17,7 and 8,0 times higher than the control group). However, Cd was among the elements in lowest concentration in the food. On the basis of these results, the authors think that the haemolymph of bees shows promise for biomonitoring heavy metals in the environment (as an accumulative indicator)