The use of spider webs in the monitoring of air quality—A review.

This article reviews the use of spider webs as passive bioindicators for air pollution monitoring, focusing on their application in detecting potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Spider webs, particularly those of the Agelenidae family such as Eratigena atrica, are highlighted for their dense, nonsticky structure, year-round availability, and ability to accumulate diverse airborne pollutants cost-effectively and without producing additional waste. Various sampling methods and analytical techniques have been employed, but challenges remain regarding standardization, understanding pollutant accumulation mechanisms, and correlating web-based measurements with conventional air quality data. While spider webs show promise for both outdoor and indoor air quality assessment, including genotoxicity testing, further research is needed to address limitations such as particle washout, internal contamination from spiders, and comparison with established bioindicators like lichens and mosses.