Determination of Heavy Metals in Honey samples from different Regions of the northeast of Algeria: according to an Urban Gradient

This study aims to assess the pollution of honey by heavy metals based on the efforts of an urbanization gradient in the city of Annaba (Northeast Algeria) where the dosage of five heavy metals (Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd) was carried out in four sites. The level of heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained indicated that even when all the samples were contaminated they were of good quality since the concentrations did not exceed the international standards. According to the results of heavy metal concentrations in the honeys studied, the most abundant element is Fe with an average concentration of 6.956 ± 2.045 (mg/kg), Cr 0.765 ± 0.197 (mg/kg), Ni 0.6005 ± 0.159 (mg/ kg), Cu 0.21025 ± 0.065 (mg/kg) and Cd 0.01425 ± 0.005 (mg/kg). The heavy metals studied are present in all samples but trace amounts. Moreover, the comparison of the honey from the four sites indicates to us that the healthiest honey is that of the urban site.