Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals (Zn, Pb, Cd) in <i>Polistes nimphus</i> (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) Living on Contaminated Sites

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of heavy metal accumulation (Zn, Cd and Pb) in the bodies of females of the predatory species Polistes nimphus (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae). The insects were captured in areas affected by the proximity of ZGH "Bolesław" -an industrial complex located in Bukowno near Olkusz (southern Poland), whose main activity is mining and processing of lead and zinc ores.Three sites that differed in terms of distance from the source of contamination and also in the concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in the top soil layer were selected. The heavy metal content of the soil was determined for each site. The most contaminated site was located in the immediate vicinity of ZGH "Bolesław" (4326.50 mg/kg Zn, 56.96 mg/kg Cd, 3977.00 mg/kg Pb); the least contaminated was the site furthest away from the source of contamination (48.75 mg/kg Zn, 0.72 mg/kg Cd, 25.43 mg/kg Pb).On all the sites, during the two-year study (2015)(2016), individuals of the genus Polistes were captured and female wasps of the species P. nimphus were isolated from among them. Then the extent of accumulation of Zn, Cd and Pb in their bodies was determined. Correlations between the concentrations of Cd, Zn and Pb in the soil and those in insect bodies were calculated.On all three sites, in both years of the study, the concentrations of heavy metals in insect bodies changed depending on their concentrations in the soil. The highest levels of the accumulated Zn, Cd and Pb were always observed on the site located in the vicinity of ZGH "Bolesław". The lowest values were observed on the site furthest away from the source of contamination. The concentrations of all three metals in the bodies of insects increased with their increasing concentrations in the soil, but the differences were not statistically significant.

Phenotypic Plasticity of Common Wasps in an Industrially Polluted Environment in Southwestern Finland

“…The concentrations of heavy metal in our samples are similar to those reported in other insect species; e.g., in carabid beetles, the levels of Cd, Fe, and Pb were within a similar range [39] as our results, while Cu and Zn concentrations from our study exceeded those reported for the beetles. In a closer vespid relative Polistes nimphus wasps, bioaccumulation of Zn was higher than our results while Cd and Pb were lower [40]. Similarly, in P. dominulus, Pb concentration was lower than the concentration from our result, following similar trends from the polluted to the reference zone [41].…”

The influence of heavy metals on the shape and asymmetry of wings of female Polistes nimpha (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) living on contaminated sites

“…The results presented in this article are an extension of part of the research by Mielczarek and Wojciechowicz-Żytko (2020).…”

“…The aim of the present study was to determine the fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of the first pair of wings of females of the predatory species Polistes nimpha (Christ, 1791 ) living in an environment contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Cd and Pb).…”

“…Soil pH and Zn, Cd and Pb content in the topsoil of individual sites(Mielczarek and Wojciechowicz-Żytko 2020) …”

“… The aim of the present study was to determine the fluctuating asymmetry of the first pair of wings in females Polistes nimpha (Christ, 1791 ) living in an environment contaminated with heavy metals. The average concentration of Zn, Cd and Pb in the bodies of the insects varied depending on the distance from the source of contamination, reaching the highest values on the site closest to the source of contamination and the lowest at the most distant site.…”