Nutrient and Trace Elements in Suburban Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) Sap, Syrup, and Soils from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 114; no. 5; p. 78
• Main Authors: Richardson, Justin B., Vukicevich, Eric, Sirkovich, Eric C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.05.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acer - chemistry; Acer saccharum; Acer saccharum subsp. saccharum; Aquatic Pollution; bulls; Cadmium; chemistry; Connecticut; Corn syrup; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystem services; ecosystems; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Food; Food contamination & poisoning; Forestry; Health risks; Maple syrup; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Nutrient concentrations; Nutrients - analysis; Pennsylvania; Pollution; Reference materials; risk; sap; soil; Soil - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Suburban areas; Sugar; sugars; Syrup; Syrups; Toxicology; Trace elements; Trace Elements - analysis; traditional technology; Trees; Urban agriculture; Urban areas; Urban farming; Urban forestry; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Zinc; Massachusetts; New Jersey; Connecticut; Pennsylvania; Urban forestry; Sugar maple; Urban agriculture; Total hazard quotient; Toxic elements
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-025-04055-4

Production of maple syrup from sugar maples ( Acer saccharum ) in suburban areas lies at the intersection of urban farming and forestry, providing an artisanal food as well as ecosystem services. However, urban areas can be enriched with trace elements due to industrial, agricultural, and municipal pollution, which can potentially affect sap and syrup chemistry. Here, we collected soils, sap, and maple syrup from four artisanal maple syrup producers in four suburban areas across the northeastern United States to assess nutrient and trace element concentrations. Soil As and Pb concentration approached or exceeded EPA limits while Cd, Cu, and Zn were far below EPA limits. Sap and syrup As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations reached or exceeded FDA limits for food. However, Total Hazard Quotients suggest that urban maple syrup consumption poses low to no health risk to adults and children.