Trace Element Content of Polyfloral Honey and Beeswax from the Vicinity of Non-Ferrous Metal Plant

Abstract

Bees and their products occupy an important place in the trophic chain “toxicant-soil-plant-bee-bee product-man”, so it has been suggested that bees and bee products should be considered as not a costly method for monitoring of the environmental pollution. Aim of the present study was to analyse trace element content of polyfloral honey and beeswax, produced in three beehives, situated in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal plant and to assess the hazardous risk at consummation. For the purposes of the study, three beehives in this area have been chosen, as follows: BH1 – located at distance of 3.8 km from the smelter, SW; BH2 – at 4 km distance, NE; BH3 – at 4.6 km distance, SE. Content of Al, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn was determined by ICP-MS. Data revealed approximately low content of heavy metals and toxic elements. Beeswax samples were found to contain significantly more Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, in comparison with the honey samples (p<0.05). On the basis of the trace elements content in bee products, the hazardous risk at consummation could be arranged in the following descending order: BH2 > BH1 > BH3.