Le attività industriali sono determinanti nello sviluppo e nel mantenimento del benessere di un paese. Spesso però le ricadute in termini di inquinamento ambientale sono significative. Tra le emissioni di inquinanti particolare rilievo ha il particolato aerodisperso (PM), polveri costituite da diversi elementi chimici che possono andare da alcuni micrometri PM10 (un millesimo di millimetro) fino a pochi nanometri PM0,1 (un milionesimo di millimetro). Le polveri più sottili possono penetrare direttamente nel sangue e contaminare vari organi incluso il cervello. Alcuni recenti studi stanno dimostrando che l’esposizione può aumentare il rischio di declino cognitivo in età avanzata e sviluppare demenze, compreso l’Alzheimer.
La prof. Ilaria Negri, ricercatrice in entomologia dell’Università Cattolica di Piacenza, ha pensato di impiegare le api bottinatrici come campionatori di polveri sottili nei pressi di attività industriali come cementifici, termovalorizzatori e autostrade. Durante la loro attività le api operaie insieme a polline e nettare possono raccogliere anche le polveri inquinanti e possono quindi essere utilizzate come campionatori molto efficienti con costi limitati e un sistema ecosostenibile.
Ruben Lagattolla
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