Comprehensive analysis of the elemental composition and isotope ratios of honeys from US East Coast

Honey is increasingly recognized not only as a valuable natural food product but also as a sensitive environmental indicator. In this study, we analyzed 121 honey samples from the eastern part of United States (2017-2019) using ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and MC-ICP-MS to evaluate their elemental composition along with strontium, and lead isotope ratios. Potassium dominated the mineral composition, while aluminium showed spatial trends linked to soil composition. Strontium isotope ratios reflected heterogeneous regional geology, and lead isotopes indicated predominantly anthropogenic sources, mainly legacy gasoline use. Multivariate analyses (CDA, PCA) revealed clear classifications by botanical and geographic origin, though isotope ratios alone were insufficient for precise provenance. This is the first study to combine comprehensive elemental analysis with Sr and Pb isotope ratios for U.S. honeys. Our findings confirm honey's utility as a geochemical archive and support its application in environmental monitoring, food safety, and traceability frameworks.