Honey is increasingly recognized not only as a functional food but also as a potential bioindicator of environmental pollution. This study assessed the concentrations of four potentially toxic elements (PTEs)—lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)—in 48 multifloral honey samples collected in 2023 from seven locations across a historically polluted agro-industrial region in Romania. Samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) and Graphite Furnace AAS (GFAAS), with quality control ensured through certified reference materials. Results revealed that Pb (0.72–1.69 mg/kg) and Cd (0.02–0.37 mg/kg) levels consistently exceeded international safety thresholds, while Cu (0.62–2.22 mg/kg) and Zn (0.91–1.93 mg/kg), although essential nutrients, were found in elevated concentrations. Spatial analysis indicated a general trend of higher contamination in sites located closer to former industrial facilities, influenced by factors such as altitude and atmospheric transport. These findings confirm the persistent environmental burden in post-industrial landscapes and support the use of honey as a cost-effective tool for pollution monitoring. The study underscores the need for targeted environmental policies, sustainable apicultural practices, and continued surveillance to protect ecosystem health and food safety.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a phytosociological, ecological, cytogenetic, eco-protective and economic study of the vegetation of the wetland ecosystems in the Vlădeasa Massif built by the phytocoenoses of the association Carici echinatae-Sphagnetum (Balázs 1942) Soó 1955. In order to attain the aim and objectives put forward we carried out 10 phytocoenological surveys (surveys) in the phytocoenoses of the ecosystems during the optimal vegetation periods related to the summer-serotinal season in the timeframe 2020-2021. The taxonomically inventoried species were included in an association table by the criteria of their belonging to the basic coenotaxa of the association, alliance, order, vegetation class. The outcomes of the phytocoenosis research of the vegetation of the wetland ecosystems were processed, analysed, interpreted based on tables, histograms, diagrams, regarding the numerical and percentage weight of the species in the ecological categories of bioforms, phytogeographic elements (geoelements) and cytogenetic elements. The ecological behaviour of the species confined in ecosystems was also analysed by their relationship with ecological factors, edaphic soil moisture, air temperature and chemical reaction of the soil. The current state of ecosystems, potential threats, sustainable conservation of biodiversity, dynamics of phytocenoses, economic and scientific relevance were also subjected to research. The results obtained in the surveyed territory were analysed and compared numerically and as percentage with the data provided by two reference scientific works belonging to authors who independently carried out research with a similar topic in two different geographical regions of the Western Carpathians.