Lead (Pb) in spiders: A possible measure of atmospheric Pb pollution

Abstract

Lead concentrations were measured in eight species of spider and in the lichen Lecanora conizaeoides Nyl. ex Cromb. Significant differences between spider species were found. The correlation between lead in Araneus umbraticus Clerck (Y) and lead in L. conizaeoides (X) was highly significant, it being possible to describe the relationship by means of the formula: Y=0·804X^0·582. It is concluded that lead in A. umbraticus may be used as a measure of atmospheric lead pollution.