Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Honey as an indicator of heavy metal contamination
AU - Jones, K. C.
PY - 1987/3/1
Y1 - 1987/3/1
N2 - The potential use of honey as an indicator in mineral prospecting and environmental contamination studies has been investigated. Silver, Cd, Cu, and Pb levels are reported in honeys collected throughout the U.K. The elemental content of honeys was investigated in relation to that in the soils collected from within the foraging area. For samples collected over two seasons the following concentrations were found Ag <0.1 to 6.5 ng g-1 (d.w.); Cd <0.3 to 300 ng g-1; Cu 35 to 6510 ng g-1; Pb <2 to 200 ng g-1. Considerable spatial and seasonal fluctuations were apparent. No correlations were observed between honey and soil concentrations for either Cu or Pb. It is concluded that the low concentrations of heavy metals in honey and their inherent variability (due to differences in floral source, foraging range, entrapment of atmospheric particulates on the flower, etc.) detract from the reliable use of honey as a monitoring tool. The relative merits of honeybees, pollen and beeswax for environmental monitoring or biogeochemical prospecting studies are also briefly discussed.
AB - The potential use of honey as an indicator in mineral prospecting and environmental contamination studies has been investigated. Silver, Cd, Cu, and Pb levels are reported in honeys collected throughout the U.K. The elemental content of honeys was investigated in relation to that in the soils collected from within the foraging area. For samples collected over two seasons the following concentrations were found Ag <0.1 to 6.5 ng g-1 (d.w.); Cd <0.3 to 300 ng g-1; Cu 35 to 6510 ng g-1; Pb <2 to 200 ng g-1. Considerable spatial and seasonal fluctuations were apparent. No correlations were observed between honey and soil concentrations for either Cu or Pb. It is concluded that the low concentrations of heavy metals in honey and their inherent variability (due to differences in floral source, foraging range, entrapment of atmospheric particulates on the flower, etc.) detract from the reliable use of honey as a monitoring tool. The relative merits of honeybees, pollen and beeswax for environmental monitoring or biogeochemical prospecting studies are also briefly discussed.
U2 - 10.1007/BF00191386
DO - 10.1007/BF00191386
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:0023306199
VL - 33
SP - 179
EP - 189
JO - Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
JF - Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
SN - 0049-6979
IS - 1-2
ER -