# Mosses in Urban Environments as Passive Biofilters and Organisms Impacted by Asbestos-Contaminated Habitats

## TL;DR

Mosses in cities both trap asbestos fibers and suffer from their effects, playing a complex role in pollution and ecological health.

## Contribution

Reveals mosses' dual role as asbestos biofilters and victims, offering new insights for ecological risk assessments.

## Key findings

- Mosses trap asbestos fibers, potentially reducing their spread in urban areas.
- Prolonged asbestos exposure causes reduced photosynthesis and oxidative stress in mosses.
- Mosses may redistribute asbestos through decomposition and the food chain.

## Abstract

Asbestos cement materials represent a persistent source of environmental contamination, particularly in urban areas where weathering facilitates the release of hazardous chrysotile fibres. Despite extensive research on the human health impacts of asbestos, ecological interactions remain poorly understood. This paper explores the dual role of bryophytes colonising asbestos cement roofing as passive filters that trap airborne fibres and as vulnerable organisms subjected to asbestos-induced stress. Using a synthesis of recent findings, we assess the capacity of mosses to immobilise chrysotile fibres through their dense, mat-like structures, potentially reducing local dispersion. Simultaneously, we examine physiological and biochemical responses to prolonged fibre exposure, including reduced photosynthetic activity and signs of oxidative stress. The findings highlight a paradoxical function of bryophytes: while they contribute to pollution mitigation, they also accumulate contaminants and suffer from sublethal damage. These interactions may have broader implications for contaminant redistribution, particularly through decomposition and trophic transfer. Understanding these dynamics is essential for advancing ecological risk assessments and developing sustainable remediation strategies in asbestos-contaminated habitats.