The Use of Spider Webs as Passive Bioaerosol Collectors

<p>In this experiment spider webs demonstrated their suitability as passive bioaerosol collectors. For spider webs to be considered suitable passive collectors webs had to satisfy three basic conditions; (1) collection of microorganisms without discrimination based on species or size (2) collection under variable environmental conditions and (3) saturation avoidance in the presence of strong microbial launching sources. Four field sampling locations were used a waste water treatment facility a commercial garden center a secluded state park area and a parking garage. Microscopy cover glass slides were used as the collection instrument. The methodology assured sterility during collection and promoted in situ microbial growth and observation which were important aspects in this study. All collected spider webs revealed microbial growth from both bacteria and fungi species. This experiment paved the way for future use of webs as passive collectors of biological warfare agents and chemical warfare agents.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>