Bee pollen as a bioindicator of environmental pesticide contamination

Author(s)

de Oliveira, Renata Cabrera ; do Nascimento Queiroz, Sonia Claudia ; Pinto da Luz, Cynthia Fernandes ; Porto, Rafael Silveira ; Rath, Susanne

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Chemosphere; v. 163, p. 525-534, NOV 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Honeybees and bee products are potential bioindicators of the presence of contaminants in the environment, enabling monitoring of large areas due to the long distances travelled by bees. This work evaluates the use of bee pollen as a bioindicator of environmental contamination by pesticides. A GC-MS/MS analytical method for multiresidue determination of 26 different pesticides in pollen was developed and validated in accordance with the recommendations of the European Union SANCO guide. Environmental monitoring was conducted using the analysis of 145 pollen samples collected from ten beehives in the experimental apiary of Embrapa in Jaguariuna (Sao Paulo State, Brazil). Bioallethrin and pendimethalin were identified in four and eighteen samples, respectively, at concentrations below the LOQ of the method (25 ng g(-1)). Passive sampling with polyurethane foam discs was used as a control, and no pesticides were found. The detection of pesticide residues in seven samples (33%) from commercial apiaries in Ribeirao Preto (Sao Paulo State) confirmed the efficiency of the analytical method and the need for environmental monitoring for the presence of pesticide residues. The results demonstrated the potential of bee pollen as a bioindicator of environmental contamination by pesticides. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/09543-7 - Residues of veterinary drugs in the environment
• Grantee: Susanne Rath
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/18253-4 - Evaluation of the Potencial Use of Bee Pollen as Bioindicator of Environmental Pesticide Contamination.
• Grantee: Renata Cabrera de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate