Figure - available from: Water Air and Soil Pollution
This content is subject to copyright. Terms and conditions apply.
Map of the city of Jena including traffic routes and the sampling locations coded according to the nearby type of traffic. CA, car traffic; CA/TR, car and tram/train traffic; PD, pedestrian areas; TR, tram/train traffic. The map has been created using SRTM3 topography data (USGS 2004) and GMT (Wessel et al. 2013)
Source publication
Atmospheric particulate matter has become a major issue in urban areas from both a health and an environmental perspective. In this context, biomonitoring methods are a potential complement to classical monitoring methods like impactor samplers, being spatially limited due to higher costs. Monitoring using spider webs is compared with the more comm...
Similar publications
Children's development and health may be affected by toxic heavy metal exposure or suboptimal essential element intake. This study aimed to provide updated information regarding the concentrations of 41 elements in children's hair (aged under 18) living in a rural area of the Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia. The highest average levels (as a geom...
Citations
... Spider webs possess a unique ability to capture and accumulate a wide variety of airborne pollutants, including particulate matter, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxins, making them ideal bioindicators (Rybak 2014;Rybak and Olejniczak 2014;Rybak 2015;Rachwał et al. 2018;Rutkowski et al. 2018;Górka et al. 2018;Rutkowski et al. 2019;Stojanowska et al. 2020;van Laaten et al. 2020;Takano et al. 2024). Their sticky nature and prolonged presence in the environment allow webs to passively trap pollutants over extended periods. ...
This study evaluates the use of webs from two species of spiders, Cyrtophora cicatrosa and Pholcus phalangioides, as biomonitoring tools for heavy metal pollution across diverse environments in Kochi city, Kerala, India. Web samples from Thevara, Eloor, and Kizhakkambalam, representing urban, industrial, and semi-urban/agricultural areas, respectively, were analyzed for Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn concentrations using ICP-OES spectroscopy. Results showed site-specific variation, with Zn reaching its highest concentration in Pholcus webs in Eloor (7558 ppm) and in Cyrtophora webs in Kizhakkambalam (4947.50 ppm). Relative distribution results revealed that Zn and Sn were the dominant metals accumulated in the webs across most sites. The principal component analysis (PCA) results highlight that Cyrtophora webs capture a broad range of metals from urban, industrial, and agricultural sources, while Pholcus webs show specific affinities for industrial and urban pollutants, suggesting a stronger sensitivity to urban-industrial pollution. These findings demonstrate that spider webs offer a cost-effective, species-specific, and non-invasive approach to environmental monitoring, enabling targeted pollution assessment and informing effective mitigation strategies across diverse settings.
... Mosses are an excellent tool for detecting anthropogenic causes of air pollution (Makholm and Mladenoff 2005;van Laaten et al. 2020), and capable of absorbing toxic metals from the environment (Rühling and Tyler 2004). Mainly three species of mosses are used for this purpose: Sphagnum fallax, Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum polysetum (Markert and Wünschmann 2011;Vuković et al. 2014). ...
Phytoremediation, the practice of removing heavy metals from contaminated sites using plants, has emerged as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly green technology to restore damaged ecosystems. Mosses, in particular, demonstrate high phytoremediation potential due to their ability to accumulate heavy metals such as lead, zinc, copper, chromium, cadmium, and iron from contaminated soil and water. This review systematically examines 37 research articles published from 2000 to 2022, focusing on the on the use of mosses for phytoremediation. Moss species, such as Funaria hygrometrica Hedw, Scopelophila cataractae (Mitten) Brotherus, Dicranum scoparium Hedw, Dicranum polysetum Sw. ex anon, Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw, Physcomitrium cyathicarpum Mitt, Barbula constricta Mitt, and Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. have been identified as ideal candidates for phytoremediation efforts. Specific species of mosses, such as Dicranum species, are noted for their excellent bioaccumulation capabilities of elements like vanadium, manganese, and rubidium, serving as indicators of air pollution. Additionally, Hypnum cupressiforme has proven to be a reliable indicator of sulfur dioxide in natural and anthropogenic sources. This comprehensive review highlights the significant phytoremediation potential of mosses, emphasizing their role as valuable bioaccumulators and indicators of heavy metals and pollutants. The findings highlight the necessity of further research to enhance the application of mosses in environmental management and remediation strategies, ultimately contributing to the development of sustainable and effective solutions for pollution control.
... However, the traditional air pollution monitoring methods are quite expensive and require continuous maintenance, while biomonitoring methods are a promising alternative or complement to the mentioned monitoring stations. Spiders have been proposed as an excellent model for studying environmental contaminants (Rutkowski et al., 2018;van Laaten et al., 2020) due to their global distribution, their capability to colonize human habitats, and their ability to endure high levels of pollutants Yang et al., 2016). Indeed, numerous studies have used spiders or their webs as indicators of heavy metal and traffic-related contaminants in PM (Rybak, 2015;Rybak & Olejniczak, 2014;Stojanowska et al., 2021;van Laaten et al., 2020). ...
... Spiders have been proposed as an excellent model for studying environmental contaminants (Rutkowski et al., 2018;van Laaten et al., 2020) due to their global distribution, their capability to colonize human habitats, and their ability to endure high levels of pollutants Yang et al., 2016). Indeed, numerous studies have used spiders or their webs as indicators of heavy metal and traffic-related contaminants in PM (Rybak, 2015;Rybak & Olejniczak, 2014;Stojanowska et al., 2021;van Laaten et al., 2020). ...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are air pollutants generated mainly by fuel combustion, industry, and other anthropogenic sources. The level of these pollutants can be assessed by employing biomonitors, a cost-effective and less contaminating alternative than conventional methods. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether spiders inhabiting areas around a major city like Córdoba, Argentina, adsorb and retain PAHs in their exoskeletons. Additionally, we aimed to determine if spiders’ life traits influence their capacity to accumulate PAHs and explore potential relationships between PAH levels and the types of roads where they were collected. Specimens of a funnel-shaped web spider (Aglaoctenus lagotis) and an orb-weaver (Metepeira spp.) were collected from roadsides. Roads were classified into four categories based on their traffic intensity. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we identified 15 different PAHs. Both species exhibited varying concentrations of PAHs, although Metepeira spp. showed 15–18 times higher PAH levels compared to A. lagotis. Moreover, A. lagotis individuals living alongside highways accumulated up to six times more PAHs compared to those along other road types. These findings suggest that spiders’ life traits may influence pollutant concentrations. Our study demonstrates that spiders near roads are exposed to and accumulate PAHs on their exoskeletons, likely sourced from petrogenic vehicular emissions, highlighting their value as biomonitors and emphasizing the need for mitigation measures to address air pollutants emitted from mobile sources.
... Cabrerizo et al. 2016;De Nicola et al. 2014;Stojanowska et al. 2020;Zechmeister et al. 2006;van Laaten et al. 2020). It has been proved that lichens and mosses reflect pollutants existent in the air, both in gas-and PM-phases(Augusto et al. 2013). ...
Urban road dust (URD) is one of the greatest threats when it comes to air pollution, and there is still a lack of a cheap and effective tool for monitoring and assessing the health risks resulting from contact with URD. This work is devoted to the issue of mutagenicity testing of urban road dust with bioindicators.
Overall, the chapter summarizes the current state of knowledge on the topic. It creates an understanding of the topic for the reader by discussing the findings presented in recent research papers. This is not a frequently discussed issue, but it is definitely worth broader attention and recognition, because the application of common and available research biological materials or living organisms such as lichens, mosses or their products i.e. spider webs and feathers, is simple and much less expensive than traditional research and provides valuable information wherever traditional studies are difficult or even impossible to conduct.
Therefore, this chapter presents cheap alternatives that can help estimate the risk of exposure to URD in everyday life. In the summary, the possible future research prospects and method development were also presented.
... The scientists found that spider webs can be a useful indicator of environmental pollution. Since then, this method has become increasingly popular and researchers have used it for monitoring various pollutants such as metals and metalloids, trace elements, polycyclic aromatic compounds, dioxins, magnetic susceptibility, and even for the assessment of pollutants' origin (Rybak, 2014;Rybak and Olejniczak, 2014;Rybak, 2015;Rachwał et al., 2018;Rutkowski et al., 2019;Stojanowska et al., 2020;van Laaten et al., 2020). This tool can be used in a defined time of exposure, usually from two to 3 months. ...
... Their findings revealed a positive correlation between the amount of anthracosis deposited in the lungs and the duration of exposure, measured as the time residents had lived in the city. Given the robust supporting evidence from subsequent studies (Brauer et al., 2001;Tsuda et al., 2013), which demonstrated that human lungs retain ambient particles, further Frontiers in Environmental Engineering frontiersin.org 04 research was undertaken to explore whether exposure to urban air pollution correlates with the degree of pleural anthracosis. ...
Traditional methods of air pollution monitoring require substantial investment in equipment and infrastructure. However, efficient and cost-effective alternatives offer promising solutions for region-specific pollution assessments and understanding their impact on local populations. This review explores examples of low-cost monitoring methods, focusing on natural bioindicators, human interaction-based techniques, and the outcomes associated with air pollution exposure. Bioindicators such as spider webs, lichens, mosses, and Tradescantia pallida (T. pallida) are discussed as potential tools for air pollution monitoring. Human biomonitoring techniques, including the micronucleus assay and the assessment of pulmonary anthracosis, are examined for their ability to provide valuable insights into genotoxic effects and long-term exposure. The advantages and limitations of each method are highlighted. The review advocates for continued research and development to refine these approaches, with the aim of mitigating the adverse health impacts of air pollution on both individuals and communities.
... Of course, only selected examples are presented here against the background of classical air pollution monitoring [20,21] and its biological counterpart-air quality biomonitoring [22,23]-together with their mobile alternatives [24,25]. Among the many advantages of the application of biomonitoring (the use of living organisms-biomonitors) in the assessment of, for example, air pollution are the following: the ease and low cost of sampling, the high accumulation rate of species, their resistance to difficult conditions, the fact that biomonitors are widespread (range of occurrence/location), and hence, a large number of sampling sites or exposure sites are accessible [26][27][28]. Biomonitoring studies concern the measurement of various analytes and air pollutants, e.g., trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or now, microplastics [29][30][31][32]. ...
Biomonitoring studies are most often used in short-term study periods to quickly obtain information on the state/quality of the environment and its pollution levels. Performing long-term surveys involves a prolonged wait for the result and is therefore not often used and is rather associated with classical air quality monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate atmospheric air pollution by selecting 16 elements and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons conducted as part of a 12-month ‘moss-bag’ technique of an active biomonitoring method with the use of three moss species: Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum fallax, and Dicranum polysetum. All analytes were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). As a result of the experiment, it was found that the concentrations of all elements increased with time of exposure. The total sum of them in D. polysetum moss was 30% and 60% more than in P. schreberi and S. fallax, respectively, which allows us to consider this species’ broader use in active biomonitoring. For PAHs analysis, the best biomonitor in time was P. schreberi, which accumulated 25% and 55% more than S. fallax and D. polysetum, respectively. In this one-year study, most organic compounds accumulated between 5 and 6 months of exposure, depending on the species. Given the low-cost nature of active biomonitoring, it should be concluded that mosses could be used in long-term monitoring of the quality of the atmospheric aerosol in terms of element and organic compound concentration in air.
... Thus, materials such as Fe, Ca, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn Ba, Si, Ca, Zn, etc. can be found in the composition of brake particles [45,46]. Based on [45], the composition of brake friction pairs plays a significant role in the size distribution of the resulting particles and the concentration of the particles. ...
Knowing and understanding the parameters influencing the concentration of particles created by brake wear, as one of the main contributors to non-exhaust emissions from vehicles, is important for the further development of systems on vehicles to reduce the concentration of particles, and also for further research in the field of developing new friction pairs. In this research, a brake inertial dynamometer was used to measure brake particles, and four different brake pads were examined. Based on a previous review of the applied tests and driving cycles, the braking parameters were determined, i.e., the initial simulated speed of the vehicle, the load of one-quarter of the vehicle, and the brake pressure. The ambient temperature, air humidity, coefficient of friction between friction pairs, deceleration, and braking time can have an influence depending on the brake pad. Further, during the measurement, the temperatures of the brake pads were also measured, where the initial temperature of the brake pads was always the same. In order to process the data, several methods were used, including the presentation of the obtained results in a time domain, the application of the Taguchi design of the experiment with the analysis of the parameters, and a correlation analysis using the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. In this research, the authors concluded that the influences of the parameters primarily depend on the applied brake pads. The vehicle speed turned out to have a large influence in all cases, as did the load, i.e., the influence of the vehicle weight (indirectly through the kinetic energy of the vehicle). In this case, the pressure showed less influence on the particle concentration. An important braking parameter that has a significant impact on the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particles is the final temperature of the brake pads.
... The results of the study indicate that being in heavily smoky rooms may be a carcinogenic risk factor, due to the concentrations of heavy metals in smoke from water pipes (Rostami et al., 2021). The use of various organisms (biomonitors) for pollution monitoring purposes is supported by the low cost of acquiring them and conducting subsequent studies, the availability of material (distribution), or high sorption capacity over time Maćkiewicz et al., 2018;van Laaten et al., 2020). The use of Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegata' plants made it possible to determine specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons depending on the cooking method (Hubai et al., 2023). ...
... When exposing mosses indoors, it is also important to provide them with a hydration system, as dry mosses can lose up to 50% of their humidity content and the deposition rate may be underestimated compared with irrigated ones (Al-Radady et al., 1993). Wood and biomass burning can be cited as examples of anthropogenic sources releasing many trace elements, such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb (Ugranli et al., 2016). All these elements were determined in P. schreberi, and their concentrations depended on the intensity of stove use due to the season. ...
The moss-bag technique has been used for many decades to monitor outdoor pollution. More recently, however, the method has been used to monitor indoor air pollution (IAP), as humans spend the majority of their time indoors. The purpose of the research conducted was to evaluate indoor air pollution using active moss biomonitoring. Pleurozium schreberi moss bags were exposed for two seasons (summer and winter), hanging over tile stoves and coal stoves. The selected elements: Al, Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, V, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, P, Ni, and S were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and, for Hg, by a direct mercury analyzer. The study found the exposure season affected the concentrations of selected elements in 62.5% of cases, and their source was identified. The average concentrations of Co, Ba, Cr, and Sr were higher, and statistically significant, in winter, after a 12-week exposure period of the mosses, regardless of the type of heating or cooking stove owned. The higher phosphorus concentrations obtained in summer indicate physiological stress caused by unfavorable winter exposure conditions. In the future, the number of species used to assess indoor air pollution should be increased and the range of pollutants expanded, along with the identification of their sources, taking residents’ lifestyles into account.
... Bioindicators can be used as passive samplers alternatively to active sampling stations, to extend PM monitoring networks. Lichens [2,26] and spider webs [27][28][29][30][31] have been recently used as passive samplers for air pollution monitoring. Both bioindicators show good properties for collecting PM. ...
... In addition to good efficiency, our pollen sampler presents several advantages over the other passive systems reported in the literature, such as those using lichens [32,33] and spider webs [31,34]. The deposition chambers are very easy to construct and have low costs for installation and maintenance. ...
Featured Application
Our new, simple, and low-cost technique of particulate matter passive monitoring, which uses olive pollen as a bioindicator, can be employed to efficiently evaluate the atmospheric quality of urban and industrial ecosystems; to estimate the effects of pollen interactions with pollutants on pollen reproductive functions; and to predict the potential increase in pollen allergenic potency.
Abstract
A new technique for the passive monitoring of particulate matter was developed, exploiting olive pollen as a bioindicator. We tested the pollen bioaccumulation efficiency when exposed to atmospheric particulate at three different sites in the Umbria region (Central Italy). Pollen grains, placed into sampling holders, were exposed in Perugia, a polluted town impacted by traffic emissions; in Terni, an industrial hotspot; and at Monte Martano, a regional rural site. At the end of the exposure period, the daily deposition fluxes of the soluble and insoluble elements and soluble molecular ions present in particulate were determined, and the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and bioaccumulation index over time (BAIt) were derived to validate the passive monitoring system, distinguish the deposition contribute from natural pollen composition, and interpret the temporal dependence of the pollen exposure to pollutants. We observed BAFs greater than 1, which means that bioaccumulation occurs, and pollen can be considered a good passive sampler for several crustal and anthropic ions and toxic elements at all sites. BAIt values greater than 1 were detected only for some of the ions and metals previously present in the pollen, like Ca, Cr, and Mn at Terni; and nitrate, Ca, and Mn at Monte Martano and Perugia.
... Considering non-human samples, spider webs were used in the studies of Rutkowski et al. (2019) and Rybak et al. (2019) to monitor indoor PAH levels. Spider webs can be collected in situ (van Laaten et al. 2020), while other traditional biomonitors such as lichens need to be transplanted. Transplanted Pseudovernia furfuracea plants were used in the study of Protano et al. (2017) in indoor school environments. ...
In indoor environments, cooking is a major contributor to indoor air pollution releasing potentially harmful toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In our study, Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegata' plants were applied to monitor PAH emission rates and patterns in previously selected rural Hungarian kitchens. Concentration and profile of accumulated PAHs could be well explained by cooking methods and materials used in each kitchen. Accumulation of 6-ring PAHs was characteristic in the only kitchen which frequently used deep frying. It also should be emphasized that applicability of C. comosum as indoor biomonitor was assessed. The plant has proven a good monitor organism as it accumulated both LMW and HMW PAHs.
