Impact Of Electromagnetic radiations of biology and

behaviour of Apis mellifera L.

Shweta Patel 42537

INTRODUCTION

Honeybees play a vital role in the pollination of agricultural crops

In recent years honey bee colony declines have reached 10-30% in Europe, 30% in the United States and up to 85% in Middle East, but such declines are not apparent in South America, Africa and Australia (Kluser,2010)

The syndrome behind honeybee population decline is known generally as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which is characterized by a rapid loss of adult worker bees (van (Engelsdorp, 2009)

EMFs are mentioned as a cause of honeybee colony losses, the sudden disappearance of honeybees, which is a huge problem in the field of beekeeping (VanEngelsdorp et al,2009)

There are several factors for CCD and they fall into two main classes: living organisms human activity

Electromagnetic radiation can best be described as waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together (i.e. radiating ) through space .Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are physical fields that are produced by a source of EMR. Electric fields are associated with electric charge and magnetic fields with the movement of electric charge.

Radiation Pattern of a Cell Tower Antenna

People living within 50 to 300 meter radius are in the high radiation zone (dark blue) and are more prone to ill-effects of electromagnetic radiation

Proportion of studies on different groups of organisms

Birds; 3%

Bees; 1%

Wildlife;2%

Other Animals; 12%

Plants; 1%Human; 81%

Bees Wildlife Other Animals

HumanPlantsBirds

Studies on EMF impacts

MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen boxes of bees were place at specified

locations. First three boxes were placed below the mobile tower. After measuring 200m, 400m, 600m and 800m distance from the tower, three boxes were placed at each location, respectively.

At each place 3 replications was taken. 6 Treatment was considered at every place. Assuming first treatment as a no. of bees (bees-strength), second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth as area of honey, egg, larva ,brood and pollen. Each were be measure after 14 days interval. The experiment was divided into 5 spot with each spot different distances:

Spot 1: 0 m Spot 2: 200 m Spot 3: 400 m Spot 4: 600 m Spot 5: 800 m

Experimental Site

Radio Frequency Meter

Effect of Radiations on honey area (cm2) of honeybees during 2012

Treatment 30.6.12

14.7.12

28.7.12

11.8.12

25.8.12

8.9.12

22.9.12

6.10.12

Mean

E (mV/m) B(µA/m)

S (mW/m2)

T1 (0 m) 275.833(16.575)

665.000(25.672)

277.500(16.442)

387.500(19.611)

478.333(21.049)

745.833(26.631)

554.166(22.351)

616.666(23.693)

500.101(21.503)

304.297 

541.22 

302.913 

T2 (200 m) 606.666(24.300)

789.166(27.588)

473.333(21.448

521.666(22.684)

372.500(19.299)

305.000(17.386)

308.333(17.454)

514.166(22.36)

486.35(21.564)

10.663 

24.08 

0.248 

T3 (400 m) 361.400(18.346)

710.000(26.442)

530.000(22.799)

432.500(20.333)

397.500(19.686)

912.500(28.609)

854.166(28.753)

96.666(9.791)

536.84(21.844)

20.826 

109.54 

2.235 

T4 (600 m) 500.833(22.082)

798.333(27.963)

455.833(20.885)

370.833(18.236)

542.500 (22.552)

460.833(19.872)

407.333(19.458)

234.633(14.918)

471.388(20.745)

7.198 

19.338 

0.0981 

T5 (800 m) 645.000 (25.346)

733.333(26.958)

488.333(21.990)

527.500(22.940)

190.623(13.626)

883.316(29.694)

592.083(24.304)

347.500(18.535)

550.958(22.924)

7.088 

19.12 

0.132 

Mean 477.946 (21.330)

739.166(26.925)

445.000(20.713)

448.000(20.761)

396.291(19.243)

661.496(24.439)

543.216(22.464)

361.926(17.859)

509.130(21.716) 

  _ 

  _ 

  _ 

Sem 107.523(2.635)

148.275(2.851)

105.073(2.5687)

102.057(2.6173)

112.528(2.828)

255.034(4.9305)

163.145(3.6768)

124.922(3.026)

_ _ _ _

Cd at 5% 350.449(8.589)

483.270(9.294)

342.466(8.372)

332.633(8.530)

366.763(9.218)

831.228(16.070)

163.145(11.984)

407.156(9.863)

_ _ _ _

Cv 38.965(21.40)

34.744(18.344)

40.897(21.480)

39.457(21.835)

49.182(25.458)

66.777(34.943)

52.019(28.349)

59.783(29.350)

_ _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns _ _ _ _

Honey area at different distance from tower during the year 2012

Progressive increase in Honey area during the year 2012

Method estimating the area of honey, egg, pollen, larva and brood

Effect of Radiations on the egg laying capacity in area (cm2) of queen bee at Pantnagar during 2012

Treatment 30.6.12 14.7.12 28.7.12 11.8.12 25.8.12 8.9.12 22.9.12 6.10.12 Mean E(mV/m)

B(µA/m) S(mW/m2)

T1 (0 m) 126.666(9.060)

15.000(3.142)

157.500(11.742)

167.500(12.598)

152.500(10.018)

95.833(7.426)

144.166(10.863)

150.000(11.258)

126.143(9.513)

304.297 541.22 302.913

T2 (200 m) 210.833(14.059)

59.166(6.796)

199.583(13.824)

185.833(13.547)

220.000(14.803)

145.000(11.954)

168.333(11.864)

176.666(10.808)

170.673(12.206)

10.663 24.08 0.248

T3 (400 m) 0.000(0.000)

48.333(6.915)

215.000(14.192)

200.833(13.967)

145.833(11.842)

45.833(5.202)

261.666(15.408)

102.500(10.055)

127.497(9.697)

20.826 109.54 2.235

T4 (600 m) 122.500(8.364)

37.916(6.052)

203.333(11.639

140.000(11.512)

75.000(6.921)

115.833(10.305)

105.000(8.162)

115.833(10.394)

114.425(9.168)

7.198 19.338 0.0981

T5 (800 m) 61.666(4.533)

34.166(5.824)

100.000(7.8867)

65.833(5.712)

125.833(11.205)

64.166(6.540)

80.000(8.7561)

47.833(6.562)

72.433(7.127)

7.088 19.12 0.132

Mean 104.333(7.203)

38.916(5.746)

175.083(11.857)

152.000(11.467)

143.833(10.958)

93.333(8.285)

151.833(11.010)

118.566(9.815)

122.237(9.542)

_ _ _

sem 74.773(4.292)

19.006(1.374)

82.463(3.960)

51.320(2.622)

50.919(3.154)

47.522(3.200)

71.286(3.164)

59.257(3.145)

_ _ _ _

Cd at 5% 243.706(13.991)

61.946(4.480)

268.770(12.909)

167.266(8.546)

165.961(10.280)

154.888(10.432)

232.342(10.312)

193.137(10.250)

_ _ _ _

Cv 124.131(103.214)

84.589(41.435)

81.578(57.860)

58.479(39.604)

61.317(49.853)

88.190(66.912)

81.320(49.772)

86.564(55.497)

_ _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns _ _ _ _

Egg laying by Queen bee at different distance from tower during the year 2012

Progressive increase in area of egg laying during the year 2012

Impact of Radiations on the brood area (cm2) of honeybees at Pantnagar during the year 2012

Treatment 30.6.12 14.7.12 28.7.12 11.8.12 25.8.12 8.9.12 22.9.12 6.10.12 Mean E(mV/m)

B(µA/m) S (mW/m2)

T1 (0 m) 109.166(10.101)

161.449 (20.812)

281.666(15.901)

198.333(13.966

283.666(14.336)

450.833(17.861)

355.833(16.619)

574.166(23.838)

340.817(16.679)

304.297 541.22 302.913

T2 (200 m) 189.166(13.750)

435.416(20.695)

389.583(19.683)

453.333(21.133

360.000(18.883)

451.666(21.131)

721.666(26.608)

250.833(14.163)

406.453(19.505)

10.663 24.08 0.248

T3 (400 m) 314.166(17.5487)

570.000(23.688)

333.333(18.175)

468.333(21.585)

441.666(20.974)

435.000(20.812)

407.500(19.234)

578.333(23.901)

443.531(20.739)

20.826 109.54 2.235

T4 (600 m) 261.666(16.084)

553.750(23.500)

223.541(13.415)

505.000(22.441)

204.166(11.655)

635.833(25.094)

490.833(20.054)

587.500(23.716)

432.772(19.494)

7.198 19.338 0.0981

T5 (800 m) 164.166(10.461)

339.166(17.825)

252.500(15.869)

286.666(13.573)

240.833(14.539)

225.833(14.991)

215.833(13.962)

245.000(15.616)

246.246(14.604)

7.088 19.12 0.132

Mean 207.666(13.589)

474.250(21.304)

296.125(16.609)

382.333(18.54)

306.066(16.078)

439.833(19.978)

438.333(19.295)

447.166(20.247)

_ _ _ _

sem 49.535(2.647)

113.819(2.634)

85.661(3.036)

87.997(3.455)

100.027(4.431)

122.459(3.796)

143.272(4.560)

88.835(2.545)

_ _ _ _

Cd at 5% 161.449(8.629)

370.969(8.587)

279.196(9.896)

286.809(11.263)

326.017(14.443)

399.130(12.373)

466.967(14.864)

289.540(8.297)

_ _ _ _

Cv 41.315(33.744)

41.568(21.420)

50.104(31.663)

39.86432.284

56.605(47.738)

48.224(32.912)

56.613(40.937)

34.409(21.777)

_ _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns _ _ _ _

Area of Brood at various distance from tower during the year 2012

Progressive increase in brood area during the year 2012

Impact of Radiations on the larva area (cm2) of honeybees at Pantnagar during the year 2012

Treatment 30.6.12 14.7.12 28.7.12 11.8.12 25.8.12 8.9.12 22.9.12 6.10.12 Mean E(mV/m)

B(µA/m) S(mW/m2)

T1 (0 m) 25.833(3.865)

21.166 (3.554)

138.333(10.561)

183.333(12.959)

82.5008.891)

146.666(9.878)

220.000(11.988)

169.166(12.219)

123.37(9.239)

304.297 541.22 302.913

T2 (200 m) 7.500(2.017)

17.466 (4.432)

198.333(13.982)

194.166(13.738)

195.00013.769)

213.333(14.318)

251.666(15.576)

164.166(10.455)

155.2(11.035)

10.663 24.08 0.248

T3 (400 m )

201.666(13.680)

37.500 (6.046)

196.666(14.011)

215.000(14.284)

188.33313.578)

70.000(6.573)

273.333(16.448)

263.333(16.165)

180.726(12.598)

20.826 109.54 2.235

T4 (600 m) 51.666(5.849)

40.833 (6.175)

134.166(9.291)

340.833(17.956)

179.16610.407)

124.166(8.973)

122.500(8.979)

255.000(15.370)

156.037(10.375)

7. 19.338 0.0981

T5 (800 m) 102.500(7.142)

13.750 (3.700)

109.166(7.625)

40.833(5.195)

27.500(5.210)

39.166(5.042)

92.500(8.922)

39.166(5.9387)

58.07(6.0968)

7.088 19.12 0.132

Mean 77.833(6.511)

26.143 (4.782)

155.333(11.094)

194.833(12.826)

134.500(10.371)

118.666(8.957)

192.000(12.382)

178.166(12.029)

134.684(9.869)

_ _ _

sem 56.032(2.962)

26.143(1.044)

74.674(3.793)

74.950(2.828)

63.498(2.881)

51.631(2.953)

66.675(3.516)

62.312(2.512)

_ _ _ _

Cd at 5% 182.626(9.656)

32.051(3.404)

243.385(12.364)

244.286(9.217)

206.961(9.392)

168.280(9.624)

217.313(11.462)

203.094(8.188)

_ _ _ _

Cv 124.691(78.809)

65.151(37.831)

83.265(59.226)

66.630(38.189)

81.772(48.123)

75.360(57.102)

60.148(49.191)

60.577(36.174)

_ _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns _ _ _ _

Area of Larva at different distance from tower during the year 2012

Area of comb occupied by the larvae during the year 2012

Impact of Radiation on the pollen area at Pantnagar during the year 2012Treatment 30.6.12 14.7.12 28.7.12 11.8.12 25.8.12 8.9.12 22.9.12 6.10.12 Mean E(mV/m) B(µA/m) S

(mW/m2)T1 (0 m) 105.000

(8.856) 13.581(3.092)

51.456(6.995)

19.166(4.136)

62.500(7.146)

96.666(9.643)

127.500(11.245)

159.166(12.342)

79.376(7.931)

304.297 541.22 302.913

T2 (200 m) 216.666(11.93)

1.041(0.831)

57.500(7.541)

89.166(9.197)

129.166(11.127)

165.000(12.772)

121.666(10.987)

140.000(11.722)

110.52(9.512)

10.663 24.08 0.248

T3 (400 m) 61.666(7.7199)

.250(0.288)

46.250(6.086)

41.250(6.266)

96.666(9.623)

59.500(7.029)

277.500(15.765)

103.333(10.160)

85.8(7.867)

20.826 109.54 2.235

T4 (600 m) 71.666(8.401)

19.583(2.900)

50.833(7.074)

76.750(8.680)

95.000(9.577)

69.166(8.257)

200.000(14.090)

185.000(13.370)

95.997(9.043)

7.198 19.338 0.0981

T5 (800 m) 289.166(15.634)

.1233(0.202)

35.623(5.725)

40.400(5.661)

16.666(3.329)

18.333(4.217)

33.7500(5.4377)

10.873(2.998)

55.613(5.400)

7.088 19.12 0.132

Mean 148.833(10.508)

6.916(1.463)

48.332(6.684)

53.346(6.788)

80.000(8.160)

81.733(8.384)

152.083(11.505)

119.674(10.118)

373.971(18.205)

_ _ _

sem 100.347(3.687)

10.165(1.257)

17.250(1.266)

20.632(1.337)

30.269(1.840)

19.536(1.149)

50.814(2.013)

25.831(1.042)

_ _ _ _

Cd at 5% 327.059(12.019)

33.133(4.097)

56.223(4.126)

67.247(4.360)

98.657(5.998)

63.675(3.747)

165.617(6.562)

84.191(3.396)

_ _ _ _

Cv 116.779(60.783)

254.596(148.82)

61.818(32.804)

66.989(34.133)

65.535(39.064)

41.401(23.752)

57.871(30.310)

37.385(17.839)

_ _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ns ** * ** _ _ _ _

Pollen area at different distance from tower during the year 2012

Progressive increase in Pollen area of comb during the year 2012

Impact of radiations on the Bees-strength of honeybees at Pantnagar during the year 2012

Treatment 30.6.12 14.7.12 28.7.12 11.8.12 25.8.12 8.9.12 22.9.12 6.10.12 Mean E(mV/m)

B (µA/m)

S (mW/m2)

T1 (0 m) 19832.33(136.754)

23000.00(151.452)

23334.33(150.975)

26962.33(161.410)

9997.33(98.946)

19719.67(139.416)

20775.67(139.811)

26053.33 (153.728)

21209.37(141.562)

304.297 541.22 302.913

T2 (200 m) 21777.67 (147.485)

17000.00 (130.178)

20222.33 (141.621)

23388.67 (152.118)

27109.00(164.536)

20887.67 (143.053)

23331.67 (152.678)

29941.67 (167.983)

22957.34(149.957)

10.663 24.08 0.248

T3 (400 m) 22333.33 (148.830)

23055.33 (151.298)

87889.00 (254.890)

26443.33 (161.528)

28442.67 (167.184)

24053.67 (154.429)

24553.00 (156.530)

26479.67 (158.521)

32906.25(169.151)

20.826 109.54 2.235

T4 (600 m) 20666.67 (142.159)

22000.33 (147.175)

28556.00 (168.252)

26388.33 (161.594)

26442.33 (161.783)

28998.33 (169.062)

17442.67 (131.90)

27276.00 (164.409)

24721.33(155.792)

7.198 19.338 0.0981

T5 (800 m) 16333.33 (122.531)

14333.67 (114.536)

10333.33(98.469)

13777.33 (117.182)

12058.33(109.691)

12111.00(109.934)

10886.33(104.302)

9720.67(98.483)

12444.25(109.391)

7.088 19.12 0.132

Mean 20188.67(139.552)

19877.87(138.928)

34067.00(162.941)

23392.00(150.786)

20809.93(140.428)

21154.07(143.179)

19397.87(137.044)

23894.27(148.625)

22847.71(145.185)

_ _ _

sem 5138.29(19.088)

3752.13(14.963)

29613.43(50.973)

4771.11(14.625)

2914.88(8.986)

3814.267 (12.755)

553.77(12.255)

8397.07(25.921)

- _ _ _

Cd at 5% 16747.17(62.215)

12229.30(48.768)

96518.68(166.137)

15550.43(47.669)

9500.46(29.290)

12431.79(41.575)

11582.76(39.943)

27368.47(84.484)

- _ _ _

Cv 44.083(23.691)

32.694(18.654)

150.562(54.184)

35.327(16.80)

24.261(11.084)

31.230(15.430)

31.731(15.488)

60.868(30.208)

- _ _ _

F value ns ns ns ns ** ns ns ns - _ _ _

Method of estimating the Bees-Strength

Impact of radiations on bee-strength at different distances from tower during 2012

Progressive increase in number of bees during the year 2012

Radiations at different spots

Radiation at 0 m (beneath,the mobile tower) during the year 2012

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Bees-strength in the starting of experiment in T1 (0 m, beneath, the mobile tower) was found to be 19,832.33 while, it was seen increased 26,053.33 at the end of experiment, the first week of October, under the influence of electromagnetic radiations emitted from the mobile tower.

The overall progressive increased in honey area recorded during the month of June-October, Area of comb, filled with honey was increased 340.833 cm2 in T1 (0m, beneath, the mobile tower) while, decreased in -297.5 cm2 in T5 (800m) followed by T4 (600 m) in 266.2 cm2, -264.734 cm2 in T3(400m) and -92.5cm2 in T2(200m).

On the basis of observations recorded, it was revealed that the area of egg was significantly increased in T3 (T1102.5 cm2) and T1 (23.334 cm2) whereas, it was found to be decreased in T2 (-34.167 cm2), T5 (-13.836 cm2) and T4 (- 6.667 cm2).

The radiation was recorded during month of June-October. Highest radiation was observed in T1 (E =304.297 mV/m, B =541.22 µA/m and S =302.913 m W/m2) while minimum in T5 (E =7.088 mV/m, B =19.12 µA/m and S =0.132 m W/m2) followed by T4 (E =7.198 mV/m, B =19.338 µA/m and S =0.0981 m W/m2), T2 (E=10.663 mV/m, B= 24.08 µA/m and S =0.248 m W/m2) and T3 (E =20.826 mV/m, B =109.54 µA/m and S=2.235 m W/m2), respectively.

Conclusion

As per the present investigation, all treated colonies with mobile tower radiation had perform well as normal colony and none of these colonies were perished during the experiment. At 0 m (beneath,the mobile tower) area of honey, brood, larva, egg, pollen all were increased. The present investigation would help to bee-keepers of Tarai region of Uttrakhand where, their bee hives were placed near the mobile tower .No impact of electromagnetic radiations of colony strength and bees survivorship.

Thanks