A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HONEY POLLUTION WITH HEAVY METALS

In this paper, the content of four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in honey was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The main goal of this study was to relate the heavy metals contents in honey samples to the pollution of the environment as a result of the industrial activities running in this area. The honey samples were harvested between 2005 and 2012 from the neighbour area of Baia Mare city that used to be known as one of the most polluted cities in Romania. The metals concentrations in honey were compared with the metals concentrations in air, in falling dust and soil, during the investigated period of time. Our results reveal a very good correlation between the metals content in honey and air and falling dust and a less relevant correlation with the metal content in soil.