BEE PRODUCTS AS BIOINDICATORS IN REGIONS WITH DIFFERENT ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT

Ivanka Zhelyazkova

Abstract: The objective of the investigation is to study the level of heavy metals and metalloids in some bee products. Four villages are included in the study – two from Pavel banya region (village of Viden and village of Manolovo) and two from region of “Maritsa East” power complex (village of Balgarene and village of Polski gradets. The content of microelements copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in the samples of bee products (honey and pollen from combs - bee bread), taken of these settlements, was examined. Sampling was done during the 2007 and 2008 apiculture seasons. It established lower values of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in pollen samples from villages Viden and Manolovo (Pavel banya region) compared to the villages from the region of “Maritsa east” power complex - Balgarene and Polski gradets. Content of Cu, Pb, Cd and Fe in honey samples varies in narrow limits for all the fourth places. Better indicator characteristics with regard to environmental quality of the pollen from combs (bee bread) are confirmed, compared to honey.

Keywords: Bee products; Bioindicators; Environmental quality; Heavy metals

Date published: 2023-02-22