Determination of Heavy Metals in Bee Honey as a Bioindicator in the Istog, Drenas and Kastriot Regions

Abstract

The major goal of this research was to employ honey as a bio-indicator to identify the heavy metal levels in bee honey in the Istog, Drenas, and Kastriot regions. As a result, honey was purposely tested in these locations, and two industrial specific areas were chosen for examination and analysis: Kastriot (Graboc) and Drenas (Vrboc), as these are considered to be among the most industrial polluted areas. A honey sample was also taken in the Istog (Vrell, as a clean area) region in order to compare not just honey, but also the area where the bee obtains nectar, as well as the sources of pollution discharge into the environment. Concentrations of heavy metals in honey, (min. and max.) amounted to: Zn (8.705–9.804 mg/kg), Mn (5.620–5.718 mg/kg), Fe (3.635–3.745 mg/kg) and Cu (2.295–2.299 mg/kg). In contrast, lower concentrations of metals, have been observed for: Ni (0.640–1.126 mg/kg), Pb (0.235–0.268 mg/kg), As (0.107–0.199 mg/kg), Cd (0.040–0.058 mg/kg) and Cr (0.025–0.036 mg/kg) while elements such as; Hg, and Co, are almost undetected. The study of hierarchical clusters revealed several groupings of elements with geogenic and anthropogenic origins. The concentrations of heavy metals selected for honey were compared to standards of other countries, such as Poland and other European Union countries. Samples were taken in October 2020 and September 2021. The concentration of heavy metals was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, ICP OES