Honeybees as active bioindicators of plastic pollution: Environmental exposure, analytical strategies, and monitoring perspectives
Fuente-Ballesteros A. Ciulu M. Haque S.M. Syrgabek Y. Basaran B.
10 November 2025Elsevier B.V.
Science of the Total Environment
2025#1003
Honeybee (Apis mellifera) has emerged as a valuable bioindicator for environmental pollution due to its morphological and behavioural traits, wide distribution, short life cycle, high reproductive rate, and ease of domestication. Through their extensive foraging activity, bees interact with multiple environmental compartments. They are increasingly exposed to a wide range of contaminants, including plastic-related compounds. In this work, we examine the potential of honeybees as active samplers of plastic pollution and identify the main exposure pathways. A brief overview of current sampling approaches, sample preparation techniques, and analytical strategies for detecting plastic contaminants is also presented. This study offers practical insights for beekeepers and policymakers to promote more sustainable hive management practices that reduce plastic exposure. Finally, we emphasize the need for harmonized methodologies, expanded geographic monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration, alongside the adoption of greener and standardized analytical techniques to improve detection accuracy and mitigate environmental impact.
Analytical methods , Bioindicator , Environmental monitoring , Environmental pollution , Honeybees , Microplastic
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Analytical Chemistry Group (TESEA), I. U. CINQUIMA, Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, 47011, Spain
Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, Verona, 37134, Italy
Department of Chemical Engineering, Jubail Industrial College, Jubail Industrial City, 31961, Saudi Arabia
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Center of Physical Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, 53100, Turkey
Analytical Chemistry Group (TESEA)
Department of Biotechnology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
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