While air pollution has been seen to affect human health, its effects go beyond that. A new study has revealed how British bumblebees are impacted by air pollution.
Bee Gut Microbiome
A study by the University of Leicester in the UK has looked into how air pollution affects the microbes on earth. More specifically, they looked into the connection between the declining population of bees and the pressing pollution of air. Science Daily notes that they are now looking into how air pollution impacts the beneficial gut microbiome and bacteria of bees and how it resultantly affects the health of these creatures.
The gut microbiome of bumblebees is delicate. It has also evolved with the species as millions of years have passed. The balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome of bees is important to keeping the creatures healthy. Disruptions in this microbiome may risk bee health, pollination, and food security on a global scale.
In the gut microbiome of the bees, there is an important member known as Snodgrassella alvi. It colonizes the large intestine of the bee in a structure known as the biofilm, which is a "protective matrix" that fosters the colonization of bacteria on surfaces. Because of how it is an initial colonizer of the gut microbiome of bees, S. alvi is remarkably important.
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Air Pollution Changes Bumblebee Gut Microbiome
Dr. Hannah Sampson, the study's first author, cultured S. alvi in the lab and exposed it to black carbon pollution. Dr. Sampson observed that the behavior of S. alvi was altered after being exposed to black carbon. The formation and structure of the biofilm were also changed. Science Daily notes that this is worrying due to how disruptions may affect the overall function and composition of the gut microbiome.
The researchers also examined how black carbon pollution affects live bumblebees by sampling the bees before and after they got exposed. They measured the abundance of gut bacteria to note any significant changes.
They discovered that there were significant changes in the abundance of two kinds of beneficial bacteria that are extremely important for the gut microbiome's health.
Dr. Sampson notes the necessary caution in concluding that air pollution directly affects the decline of bee populations. However, Dr. Sampson is clear in emphasizing how important it is to understand this link in order to protect the planet better.
She highlights the need to conduct further research as air pollution has greater impacts than previously thought. With air pollution's capacity to impact microbial communities, it is important to note that alterations in such vital communities may dangerously affect ecosystems that impact bees and humans.
Findings will be presented at the Annual Conference of the Microbiology Society, which will take place this April 17-20.
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