Medycyna Wet. 64 (10), 1260-1262, 2008
| Spodniewska A., Romaniuk K. |
| Concentration of HCH and DDT in bees from winter scatter |
| Studies were carried out in 2004-2007 in two apiaries which varied in flow terms. In the midsummer, bees from P apiary collected pollen and nectar from mixed forest, pastures and fields, while bees from NJ apiary worked white mustard and weeds on wastelands. The winter scatters were collected for investigations every year, after the first bees’ flight. HCH concentration in bees from P apiary ranged from 0.00102 μg/g of lipid matter (l.m.) to 0.00170 μg/g l.m. and the total amount of DDT was 0.00970-0.03530 μg/g l.m. In the bees’ scatter from NJ apiary the HCH level was 0.00091-0.00530 μg/g l.m. and the total amount of DDT was 0.00171-0.00424 μg/g l.m. Between 2004 and 2007 the level of chlorinated hydrocarbons, mostly HCH, in both apiaries (especially in NJ) was reduced. It shows a progressive decomposition of this compound in the environment. However, the DDT content in the scatter from P apiary in the first two years of investigations as well as in 2007 was 0.00970-0.01280 μg/g l.m., whereas in 2006 it increased up to 0.03530 μg/g l.m. So significant an increase (2.7-3.6 times) in the DDT content towards the end of the investigated period seems to indicate a periodical infiltration of this compound into the region of the Pisz forest, probably from Africa, where this pesticide is still applied for mosquito control. |
| Key words: HCH, DDT, chlorinated hydrocarbons, bees, winter scatter |