Spider Webs as Biomonitoring Tool for Heavy Metal Pollution in Diverse Environments: A Study in Kochi City

IF 1.5 Q4 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Environmental Quality Management Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1002/tqem.70074

Mathew M. Joseph, Archana T. Anil

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

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.

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蜘蛛网作为不同环境重金属污染的生物监测工具：高知市的研究

本研究评估了印度喀拉拉邦高知市不同环境中两种蜘蛛（cicatrosa Cyrtophora和Pholcus phalangioides）的蛛网作为重金属污染生物监测工具的使用情况。利用ICP-OES光谱分析了来自Thevara、Eloor和Kizhakkambalam的网样，分别代表城市、工业和半城市/农业区，分析了Cr、Cu、Mn、Mo、Ni、Pb、Sn和Zn的浓度。结果显示出不同地点间的差异，锌在elor的Pholcus网中最高（7558 ppm），在Kizhakkambalam的Cyrtophora网中最高（4947.50 ppm）。相对分布结果表明，锌和锡是主要富集金属。主成分分析（PCA）结果表明，cytophora网捕获了来自城市、工业和农业来源的广泛金属，而Pholcus网对工业和城市污染物表现出特定的亲和力，表明对城市-工业污染的敏感性更强。这些发现表明，蜘蛛网为环境监测提供了一种具有成本效益、物种特异性和非侵入性的方法，使有针对性的污染评估成为可能，并为不同环境下的有效缓解战略提供信息。

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来源期刊

Environmental Quality Management Environmental Science-Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Four times a year, this practical journal shows you how to improve environmental performance and exceed voluntary standards such as ISO 14000. In each issue, you"ll find in-depth articles and the most current case studies of successful environmental quality improvement efforts -- and guidance on how you can apply these goals to your organization. Written by leading industry experts and practitioners, Environmental Quality Management brings you innovative practices in Performance Measurement...Life-Cycle Assessments...Safety Management... Environmental Auditing...ISO 14000 Standards and Certification..."Green Accounting"...Environmental Communication...Sustainable Development Issues...Environmental Benchmarking...Global Environmental Law and Regulation.