Bio-monitoring of cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury in industrial districts of Izmir, Turkey by using honey bees, propolis and pine tree leaves

In this study honey bees, propolis and leaves of pine trees were sampled from five different points of industrial district in Izmir-Turkey during spring 2014. These samples were used as biological indicators for heavy metal pollution of the environment. Heavy metals including cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury were determined in samples. Results showed the high levels of heavy metal contamination, especially in propolis samples. Mercury not detected in the all analyzed samples. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.