EPSAM

My Post-graduate research at Keele University started in 2010 having previously obtained a BSc in Chemistry and Forensic Science from Keele. My undergraduate studies were heavy in chromatography based analysis, including my final year project which focused on cuticular hydrocarbons in ants; this provided a good spring-board for my current research project.

Surveying the levels of pesticide residues in bees and stored pollen and their effects on bees

Lead supervisor:  Dr Falko Drijfhout

In the research project, a collaboration between Keele University and BBKA, samples e.g. adult bees and/or stored pollen, will be collected from many bee colonies originating from four regions of the UK with all different agricultural practices. These samples will all be chemically analysed for trace levels of any pesticide residues and compared to each other.

Since the effect of pesticides on bee health is likely to be related to the bees' behaviour (disorientation) rather than a direct effect (mortality), the analysis will detect levels below lethal doses. Through a survey given out to bee keeper’s data related to colony losses and colony health will also be obtained. This data can then be compared to the levels of pesticides present. If pesticides are found in either bees or stored pollen, this study will reveal which pesticides are found in the different areas in the UK.

This data will be compared to similar data from other European countries, where specific pesticides have been banned. To test the real effect these pesticides may have is quite complicated, as not all pesticides will have a similar effect at a similar concentration. Another complication is that the effect of pesticides residues is likely to be a long-term effect.

Bees' behaviour can be affected resulting in disorientation of bees and bees not being able to return to their nests. But unless data on the presence of pesticides are available, bioassays cannot be developed or carried out