Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2008, 00:00 IST

London, April 20: Pollution is endangering the most essential cycles of nature.

A new study has revealed that pollution from vehicle exhausts is destroying the fragrance of flowers, and thereby inhibiting the ability of pollinating insects such as bees to follow scent trails to their source.

"Scent molecules produced by flowers in a less polluted environment could travel for roughly 1,000 to 1,200 metres. But today they may travel only 200 to 300 metres. This makes it increasingly difficult for bees and other insects to locate the flowers," lead researcher Prof Jose Fuentes said.

In fact, Prof Fuentes of Virginia University and his colleagues, who worked on the scent given off by snapdragons, found that the molecules are volatile, and quickly bond with pollutants such as ozone and nitrate radicals, mainly formed from vehicle emissions, 'the independent' reported today.

This chemically alters the molecules so that they no longer smell like flowers. A vicious cycle is therefore set up where insects struggle to get enough food and the plants do not get pollinated enough to proliferate.

The researchers do not believe that they have found the cause of colony collapse disorder, but say that pollution is making life "more difficult for bees and other insects in many ways".

In fact, according to them, pollution is disrupting insect life and imperilling food supplies and soon they fear that the insects' ability to repel enemies and attract males may also be impeded.

The results of the study have been published in the 'Atmospheric Environment' journal.

Bureau Report