Other than pollinating flowers, what else can the bee do?
Bees have a huge responsibility regarding pollination, and in some areas, they are the reasons that some species of flowers survive. But did you know that they can also detect toxins? Each bee collects nectar and pollen, which are exposed to a great deal of toxins, and the toxins are captured in their honey. Several countries in Europe, including Germany, have been using honeybees to test their air quality in their airports. They are also used to test the air regarding public health. Martin Bunkowski, an environmental engineer, describes bees to have a huge deal of public appeal, but they are not a replacement for the machines that have been used in the past. The program started in 1999 in the Hamburg Airport, and has continued immensely, especially in Germany. Düssel-dorf International Airport has around 20,000 bees, and their honey is analyzed monthly. Recently, the Airport has been bottling the honey and has seen great results in it, even comparing it to honey harvested in area's of little or no pollution. I feel that this is a great way to detect the biochemicals being released from the airports. The community gets involved by purchasing/packaging the honey, and by getting on the good side of the public, the program thrives. Also, I found it shocking that bees could be used to do such a complex job. However, I feel as if it could be used in airports throughout the U.S., not just in Europe. Ultimately, this was a discovery that is interesting but still benefits society.
Citations:
Santisi, Jennifer. “The Bee biodetectives.” Science Reference Center. EBSCO, Oct. 2010. Web. 4 May 2011.
