Back to papers
0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Policy & Risk Sign in to save

An integrative analysis of microplastics in spider webs and road dust in an urban environment–webbed routes and asphalt Trails

Journal of Environmental Management 2024 10 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Lucian Iordachescu, Gabriella Rullander, Jeanette Lykkemark, Sahar Dalahmeh, Jes Vollertsen

Summary

Researchers analyzed microplastics in spider webs and road dust collected from urban environments, finding that spider webs are an effective and low-cost way to monitor airborne microplastic pollution, with indoor parking lots showing microplastic counts 31 times higher than outdoor lots. The study demonstrates that spider webs can serve as natural passive samplers to track plastic particle pollution in city air.

• Microplastics (10–500 μm) are quantified in road dust and spider webs using FPA-μFTIR imaging. • A novel sampling device (Dusty) for collecting road dust samples is presented. • Spider webs are a cost-effective and simple-to-prepare proxy for monitoring airborne microplastic pollution. • An indoor enclosed parking lot exhibited microplastic counts 31 times higher than an outdoor lot.

Read via DOI PubMed Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email