Disentangling multiple PM emission sources in the Po Valley (Italy) using honey bees.

ABSTRACT: Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of airborne chemical compounds commonly classified by their aerodynamic diameter. Although PM toxicity strongly depends on the morphology, chemical composition, and dimensions of particles, exposure limits set by environmental organisations only refer to the mean mass concentration of PM sampled daily or annually by monitoring stations. In this study, we used honey bees as sensors of airborne PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in a highly polluted area of the Po Valley, northern Italy. Honey bees are an efficient sampler of airborne PM because, during flight and foraging activities, their pubescence promotes the accumulation of electrical charge on the body surface owing to air resistance, thus enhancing airborne PM attraction. Particles attac

SUBMITTER: Capitani G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7881223 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature