Monitoring of trace elements in honey from the Republic of Macedonia by atomic absorption spectrometry

Environ Monit Assess. 2008 Jul;142(1-3):117-26. doi: 10.1007/s10661-007-9913-x. Epub 2007 Sep 26.

Abstract

Contents of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Na, K, Ca and Mg in 123 honey samples from different regions of the Republic of Macedonia were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A microwave digestion system was applied for digestion of the samples. The mean content for the elements determined was found to be: 2.252, 0.696, 1.885, 1.752, 0.004, 29.52, 984.8, 40.11, 18.24 mg kg(-1) for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Na, K, Ca and Mg, respectively. Based on a comparison of statistical parameters, the spatial distribution of particular elements in Macedonian honey and the results of factor analysis, two natural and one anthropogenic geochemical associations were identified. The natural geochemical associations (Mg, Mn, Ca, K and Fe, Zn, Ca, -K, -Na) are influenced mainly by lithology. The anthropogenic associations (Cd and -Cu) are mostly a result of metallurgical activities, namely lead production in the town of Veles.

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Food Packaging
  • Honey / analysis*
  • Metals, Heavy / chemistry
  • Republic of North Macedonia
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic*
  • Trace Elements / chemistry*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Trace Elements