Air pollution analysis in the territory of Kauno kolegija apiary
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59476/mtt2026.v2i22.785Keywords:
air pollution, apiary, particulate matter, concentrationAbstract
Urban beekeeping has become increasingly important for biodiversity conservation, pollination processes, environmental education, and sustainable food systems. Honey bees are recognised as sensitive bioindicators that reflect environmental pollution levels in urban ecosystems. However, urban environments are characterised by intensive traffic, industrial activity, and elevated concentrations of atmospheric pollutants that may negatively affect bee health, orientation, olfactory sensitivity, and foraging behaviour. Pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals may disrupt floral scent dispersion and impair insects’ cognitive functions. Therefore, assessing air quality in urban apiaries has become an important research field.
This article presents an analysis of air pollution in the territory of the Kauno kolegija apiary located at Pramonės Ave. 20 in Kaunas, Lithuania. The study was carried out in 2025 using environmental monitoring data, legally established annual limit values, and GIS-based air pollution dispersion modeling maps. The aim of the study was to evaluate concentrations of major ambient air pollutants in the apiary environment and assess their compliance with Lithuanian and European Union legislation. The pollutants investigated included particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The results demonstrated that none of the investigated pollutants exceeded the established annual limit values. The greatest potential concern was related to PM2.5, whose concentration reached 92.9% of the permissible annual limit. PM10 concentrations accounted for 50.85% of the limit value, sulfur dioxide for 60.5%, and nitrogen dioxide for 51.25%. Carbon monoxide and VOC concentrations remained very low, representing only 2.4% and 3% of the annual limits, respectively. Although all measured concentrations complied with current environmental requirements, previous scientific studies indicate that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and heavy metals may negatively affect bees’ orientation, olfactory sensitivity, learning abilities, and overall physiological condition.
The findings suggest that the current air quality in the territory of the Kauno kolegija apiary is suitable for urban beekeeping activities. Nevertheless, given the increasing urbanisation and transport-related pollution, continuous long-term air quality monitoring and further research are recommended.
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