An important indicator of honey quality is represented by the content of heavy metals. Romanian Legislation regarding the accepted level of heavy metals in honey corresponds to the EU Standards (European Honey Directive of the European Honey Commission). The heavy metals residues could be originated from soil, plant or result from processing and environmental contamination. When the level of heavy metals in honey is monitories some variables need to be considered such as weather, season or botanical origin of the flowers. Placing hives near roads with heavy car and trucks traffic, industrialized areas or unacceptable materials and equipment on the honey production circuit can represent other important sources for honey contamination with heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to link specific variations of the heavy metal content in Linden Tree, Mixed Flowers honey and other honey varieties with the botanical origin of the processing flowers mainly from polluted areas and unpolluted ones in Timiş County. The studied locations are: Timişoara, Timişoara- near a national road, Chevereşu Mare and Sacoşu Mare. The main aim of the research was to determinate the content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, manganese and iron in Linden Tree, Mixed Flowers, rape, sunflower, amorpha and accacia honey samples collected directly from bee colonies.The sample analysis have followed standard methods for detecting heavy metals approved by STAS 784/2-2009 from Romania, using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).The results showed that the heavy metal content altered and depended on the floral sources of the honey variety. The highest lead content was found in Linden Tree honey, especially when the hives were located in places with heavy car traffic. The highest chromium content was established for the Mixed Flowers honey samples, content which increased for Linden Tree honey samples collected from hives placed near a national road. The highest level of iron was measured for the Mixed Flowers honey samples, content which increased for Linden Tree honey samples collected from hives placed near a national road. An important cadmium and zinc level was measured in the Linden Tree honey samples. Placing the beehives near a polluted area increased the content of cadmium and zinc for all varieties of honey.

Linden Tree honey, Mixed Flowers honey, rape honey, sunflower honey, amorpha honey, accacia honey, heavy metal content, honey variety.

environmental engineering

Presentation: poster