ACCUMULATION AND MIGRATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE SOIL–PLANTS–BEES–HONEY CHAIN UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN ALTAI

The paper reports the results of monitoring the migration of some heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) in apiaries in Altai Krai (Soloneshensky, Smolensky, and Altai districts) and Altai Republic (Chemalsky and Shebalinsky districts), Russia, within the soil-plants-bees-honey food chain.Study sites differ in several environmental conditions: elevation, vegetation, microclimatic characteristics, and distance from arterial highways.The data obtained suggest a low degree of contamination of environmental objects (soil, grass, bee products) and prove that the honey is ecologically safe.A correlation is found between the content of heavy metals in natural objects and the content of heavy metals in honey obtained from European bees at apiaries in the considered regions.