Honey as a pollution detector

Why is it in news?
  • In a recent survey of urban beehives around Vancouver, published recently in Nature Sustainability , showed that the hives’ honey contained minute levels of lead, especially downtown and near the city’s port.
  • The readings suggest that honey can be a sensitive indicator of air quality.
More in news
  • Other natural pollution indicators:
    (1) Tree rings can tell scientists what the atmosphere was like when the tree was young.
    (2) Lichens can reveal local air pollution levels.
  • Way forward: Scientists may be able to track improvements or declines in air quality by monitoring the beehives and analysing the honey.
Source
The Hindu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 20th Mar 2019