Insect-Induced Forest Disturbance Impacts on Select Water Quality Parameters in a Closed Drinking Water Reservoir

Biotic forest health conditions, inputs of abiotic factors and timing of precipitation and river inflows impact drinking water reservoirs. Natural organic matter (NOM) directly impacts water treatment process effectiveness and is identified as an emerging contaminant of concern. Few studies have examined how insect-induced forest disturbance contributes to abiotic inputs. This study utilized a western hemlock looper moth (WHLM) outbreak data (2015 – 2024) within Capilano Watershed to evaluate spatial and temporal variation of abiotic components of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), NOM (character), pH, total copper and total lead within Capilano Reservoir, and effects of precipitation and Capilano River inflow. Identified parameters did not reflect linear or polynomial regression trends. This study determined that during the WHLM infestation outbreak, while DOC and UV254 did not significantly change, NOM character was significantly lower. The NOM character change could not be definitively linked to the infestation and may have been influenced by other factors.

Author dc:creator

• Harris, Leanne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dodd, Matt

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20944

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/29415