Diesel Exhaust Stops Honeybees from Finding the Flowers They Want to Forage

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131003093035.htm

October 3rd, 2013

Research from the University of Southampton has shown that pollution from the burning of diesel has caused honeybees to be disoriented when searching for floral odors. Honeybees are known to find flowers to pollinate based on scents they are able to pick up in the atmosphere. The recent study shows that chemical compounds found in diesel fumes are interfering with these scents and are making it almost impossible for honeybees to find flowers to pollinate.

            The study showed that not only does diesel interfere with the odors, but it changes the chemical makeup of the odors completely. The study wanted to see the effects that diesel exhaust had on flower odors. Two gas chambers contained chemicals found in rapeseed oil. One chamber was then fed clean air, while the other chamber was fed diesel exhaust. In the chamber with the diesel exhaust they saw that 6 of the 8 chemicals, which composed the odor, decreased in pressure and the remaining two compounds disappeared completely. They then subjected this odor to honeybees and found that they did not recognize it. They speculate that NOx, a main component of diesel exhaust, is what causes this change in the chemical makeup of the floral odors.

            Dr. Tracy Newman of the University of Soutampton commented that “Honeybees have a sensitive sense of smell and an exceptional ability to learn and memorize new odours. NOx gases represent some of the most reactive gases produced from diesel combustion and other fossil fuels, but the emissions limits for nitrogen dioxide are regularly exceeded, especially in urban areas. Our results suggest that that diesel exhaust pollution alters the components of a synthetic floral odour blend, which affects the honeybee's recognition of the odour. This could have serious detrimental effects on the number of honeybee colonies and pollination activity."

            This is an extremely important finding because our existence and sustainability very much depend on the honeybee population. They are what pollinate our food and enable plants and certain crops to grow. In certain parts of the world this is already proving to be a problem. I some rural parts of china, farmers are forced to hand pollinate some plants to enable them to reproduce. In a way I’m glad that this study shows that exhaust fumes are affecting bee populations because it will force us to find better alternatives to using gas powered cars. This may act as a push forward.