Concentrations of heavy metals in multifloral honey from the different terrestrial ecosystems of the Carpathians

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the intensity of heavy metal accumulation in the multifloral honey collected from the beehives located in the mountain, foothill and forest steppe areas of the Carpathian region. The sources of emissions of heavy metals and their release into the environment differ, but they mostly have a technological origin as a consequence of urbanization and industrialization. It was found that the content of iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel and lead in the natural multifloral honey collected from the beehives located in the mountain, foothill and forest steppe areas of the Carpathian region did not exceed the standards. However, with the increasing intensity of an industrial impact on the environment, natural multifloral honey contains more heavy metals.

Residues of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Polish Varietal Honey

“…The median for the elements was high: Pb—1.49 mg/kg, Cd—2.20 mg/kg, Zn—20.40 mg/kg, and Cu—3.70 mg/kg. According to Klym and Stadnytska [ 50 ], the content of heavy metals increased with the degree of the impact of industry on the environment. The levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were the highest in honey from forested and steppe areas, lower in honey from foothills, and the lowest in mountainous areas of the Carpathian region.…”