About This Project

Heavy metals are released into the environment by both anthropogenic and natural sources. Highly reactive and often toxic at low concentrations, they may bioaccumulate in food webs, and adversely affect biota. Bees may come in contact with environmental contaminants in the flowers they forage. How is the role of bees as bioindicators or biomarkers of environmental contamination by heavy metals?

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Polluting vast areas worldwide, heavy metals are highly reactive and toxic at low concentrations, posing severe risks to human and ecosystem health While many heavy metals are naturally present in the rocks and atmosphere, humans may promote heavy metal pollution through activities such as mining, transportation, and industrial manufacturing, as well as applying metal-containing pesticides and fertilizers in commercial agriculture. These activities release metals into the environment through waste disposal, runoff, and application of heavy metal-laden chemical products, which then may enter terrestrial systems via aerial deposition, surface waters, or soil.

What is the significance of this project?

While many studies of heavy metals focus on metal accumulation in individual taxa fewer studies examine community level effects of heavy metals, including their ability to transfer through a food chain and bioaccumulate in higher trophic levels

What are the goals of the project?

We intend to understand what will happen to the accumulating plants and pollinators that occur in areas contaminated by heavy metals originating from mining activities. That is, if the increase in the amount of metals can reduce the number of bees visiting the plants and reduce the reproductive success of both in a cascading effect.