Spiders enlisted as pollution sensors for rivers

Hunting arachnids provide better picture of chemical threats to food web

A long-jawed spider

EIGHT-LEGGED SENTRIES  Spiders lurking along riverbanks, like this long-jawed spider, can act as sentinels for toxic pollution, telling researchers the type, location, amount, and even the source of the contaminants.

Ryan Otter

VANCOUVER — Dangling from their riverfront webs, riparian spiders may be useful watchdogs for waterway pollution.