Bromenshenk's talent is for using technology to study how bees one of our best indicators of pollution are affected by environmental contaminants. Bees as Biomonitors A number of qualities make honey bees excellent candidates for biomonitoring. While foraging, bees sample the soil, water, air and vegetation over a wide area. Bees are one of the most studied invertebrates, so scientists know a good deal about bees' economic and ecological importance. The public also recognizes the bees' importance.
Bees are a vital contributor to human life.
A honey bee is involved, at some point in the food chain, in about one-third of everything we consume. Honey and beeswax are ingredients in products ranging from fruit drinks to furniture, but bees are most valuable as pollinators. The use of bees as biomonitors has evolved over the years. Since then biologists have proved that not only are bees affected by environmental pollutants, but that they bring back detrimental chemicals to their colonies. They hope to identify environmental threats early on, so that remediation can take place before further harm occurs.