The aim of this research is to investigate the occurrence of neonicotinoids, a group of chemicals used to control harmful insects, in the Australian terrestrial environment and evaluate the exposure of honeybees and humans to these chemicals.
The proposed thesis chapters will include:
- Chapter 1: a review of the literature around the fate and distribution of neonicotinoids, including exposure of bees;
- Chapter 2: the determination of sorption parameters of neonicotinoids in Australian soils;
- Chapter 3: an investigation into the sampling and analysis of honey as a potential tool for assessing spatial exposure of bees to neonicotinoids and their risk to their survival.
- Chapter 4: Conclusions and recommendations.
The results from each chapter will allow the estimation of the presence of neonicotinoids in soils after application, exposure of bees and humans to such chemicals, and a general understanding of their spatial distribution in the environment.
Research Impact
This project has facilitated a collaboration with the Victoria Environmental Protection Authority for honey sampling to investigate hive health across Victorian beehives. Similarly, there is a collaboration with the Department of Environment and Science to investigate the soil sorption of neonicotinoids.
