Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and plasticizers residues: role of bees and honey as bioindicators of environmental contamination

Fiore, Cristina Di; Cristofaro, A. De; Nuzzo, Angelo; Notardonato, Ivan; Ganassi, Sonia; Iafigliola, Luigi; Sardella, Giovanni; Ciccone, Michela; Nugnes, Davide; Passarella, Sergio; Torino, Valentina; Petrarca, Sonia; Criscio, Dalila Di; Ievoli, Riccardo; Avino, Pasquale

doi:10.1007/s11356-023-25339-4

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Even changes in temperatures may enhance ROS levels in organisms, disturbing their physiological homeostasis. Honey bees are poikilothermal animals: air temperatures below 7 °C or above 38 °C may affect the metabolic and physiological responses, thereby also inhibiting their foraging [ 5 , 26 ]. Particularly, high values of temperature and humidity upregulate cytochrome P450 (cytP450), as well as heat shock proteins (Hsp), triggering oxidative stress in bees [ 53 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, since all honey bees live together in nests or hives, they may come in contact with pollutants spread in the environmental compartments (air, soil, vegetation, and water) of an area commonly around 7 km 2 surrounding their apiary [ 4 ]. For their ecological and biological traits, honey bees can record spatial and temporal pollutant variations playing a key role in the biomonitoring program of terrestrial environments [ 5 ]. Environmental contaminants arising from agricultural, urban, industrial activities, and changes in environmental parameters can impact organism survival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Honey bee colonies can be a useful tool in long-term metal monitoring, highlighting spatial and temporal variation of contaminant concentrations in a geographic area [ 5 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Nevertheless, it is important to note that contaminants such as heavy metals are not separately present in the environment, since contaminated sites often exhibit multiple valence states and complex compounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applying Artificial Neural Networks to Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Forager Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) for Ecological Assessment

La Porta,

Magara,

Goretti

et al. 2023

Toxics

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Insect pollinators provide an important ecosystem service that supports global biodiversity and environmental health. The study investigates the effects of the environmental matrix on six oxidative stress biomarkers in the honey bee Apis mellifera. Thirty-five apiaries located in urban, forested, and agricultural areas in Central Italy were sampled during the summer season. Enzyme activities in forager bees were analyzed using an artificial neural network, allowing the identification and representation of the apiary patterns in a Self-Organizing Map. The SOM nodes were correlated with the environmental parameters and tissue levels of eight heavy metals. The results indicated that the apiaries were not clustered according to their spatial distribution. Superoxide dismutase expressed a positive correlation with Cr and Mn concentrations; catalase with Zn, Mn, Fe, and daily maximum air temperature; glutathione S-transferase with Cr, Fe, and daily maximal air temperature; and glutathione reductase showed a negative correlation to Ni and Fe exposure. This study highlights the importance of exploring how environmental stressors affect these insects and the role of oxidative stress biomarkers. Artificial neural networks proved to be a powerful approach to untangle the complex relationships between the environment and oxidative stress biomarkers in honey bees. The application of SOM modeling offers a valuable means of assessing the potential effects of environmental pressures on honey bee populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applying Artificial Neural Networks to Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Forager Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) for Ecological Assessment

La Porta,

Magara,

Goretti

et al. 2023

Toxics

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“…However, contamination during honey storage can be excluded because the honey was stored in glass jars. Nevertheless, it can be considered that plasticisers are ubiquitous in the environment, so the contamination of the nectar cannot be excluded [54]. In this regard, DEHP is the most frequently identified plasticiser in honey samples [15].…”

Section: Plasticizers and Bpsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of Physicochemical Quality and Organic Contamination in Algerian Honey

Derrar,

Lo Turco,

Albergamo

et al. 2024

Foods

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Honey is a natural product extensively consumed in the world for its nutritional and healthy properties. However, residues of pesticides and environmental contaminants can compromise its quality. For this reason, the physicochemical parameters, and the organic contamination of monofloral and multifloral honey from three regions of Algeria (Tiaret, Laghouat, and Tindouf) were monitored to evaluate the quality of the honey and its safety for consumers. In general, the results obtained from the physicochemical analyses were in line with the EU standards. In terms of contamination, pesticides authorised and used in Algerian agriculture (metalaxyl-M and cyromazine), as well as a banned pesticide (carbaryl), were found in almost all the samples. However, only the concentration of cyromazine was higher than the relative EU maximum residue levels. PCB 180, PCB 189, anthracene, fluorene, and phenanthrene were mainly detected. All the honey shows traces of DiBP, DBP, DEHP, and DEHT, but no traces of bisphenols were found. Moreover, according to the dietary exposure assessment, a small amount of Algerian honey can be safely consumed. Overall, the data from this study should motivate the Algerian government to enhance their monitoring activities in beekeeping and to find solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices harmonising with international legislation.

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“…Instead, the determination of the contamination levels of areas under investigation was performed using honeybees, which have been used as bioindicators of the levels of pollution of the investigated areas. The reason why bees have been used as indicators of pollution status is based on the appropriateness of these living organisms to capture and trap pollutants in their bodies, as demonstrated in the scientific literature [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Presence of Ultra-Traces of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals in Some Areas of Molise: The Importance of a “Blank” in Public Health Studies

Notardonato

Fantasma

Monaco

et al. 2023

Toxics

Self Cite

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The emission of chemicals into the environment has increased in a not negligible way as a result of the phenomenon of globalization and industrialization, potentially also affecting areas always considered as “uncontaminated”. In this paper, five “uncontaminated” areas were analyzed in terms of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), comparing them with an “environmental blank”. Chemical analyses were carried out using standardized protocols. The ‘environmental blank’ results revealed the presence of Cu (<64.9 μg g−1), Ni (<37.2 μg g−1), and Zn (<52.6 μg g−1) as HMs and fluorene (<17.0 ng g−1) and phenanthrene (<11.5 ng g−1) as PAHs. However, regarding the results of the pollution status of the areas under study, fluorene (#S1, 0.34 ng g−1; #S2, 4.3 ng g−1; #S3, 5.1 ng g−1; #S4, 3.4 ng g−1; #S5, 0.7 ng g−1) and phenanthrene (#S1, 0. 24 ng g−1; #S2, 3.1 ng g−1; #S3, 3.2 ng g−1; #S4, 3.3 ng g−1; #S5, 0.5 ng g−1) were found in all areas, while the other PAHs investigated were detected at a concentration averaging less than 3.3 ng g−1. HMs were found in all of the investigated areas. In particular, Cd was detected in all areas with an average concentration of less than 0.036 μg g−1, while Pb was absent in area #S5, but present in the other areas with an average concentration of less than 0.018 μg g−1.

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Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and plasticizers residues: role of bees and honey as bioindicators of environmental contamination

Cited by 20 publications

References 49 publications

Applying Artificial Neural Networks to Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Forager Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) for Ecological Assessment

Applying Artificial Neural Networks to Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Forager Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) for Ecological Assessment

Study of Physicochemical Quality and Organic Contamination in Algerian Honey

The Presence of Ultra-Traces of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals in Some Areas of Molise: The Importance of a “Blank” in Public Health Studies

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