A Comparison of Biotic and Abiotic Components Between a Spring-Fed and a Predominantly Lake-Fed Creek on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia
2025
McMillan, Sharon, Irene | Moran, Jonathan
This study compares biotic and abiotic components between a spring-fed and a predominantly lake-fed creek on Southern Vancouver Island. Colwood Creek flows through a subdivision, golf course, forest and along a highway. Hatley Creek is spring-fed and flows through forest. Sediment, Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), invertebrates, water quality and discharge were sampled over a one-year period. Sediment and plant samples were analysed using X-ray Fluorescence for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc. Results showed that the contamination level of heavy metals in Colwood Creek is low, though one site had sediment quality guideline exceedances for arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc concentrations are likely increased by anthropogenic activities, as higher concentrations were found at sites close to subdivisions and highways. Significant differences were found between locations for copper, nickel, lead and zinc in sediment, and zinc in skunk cabbage.
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