Release of polycyclic aromatic compounds into a Mediterranean creek (Catalonia, NE Spain) after a forest fire.
Abstract
Wildfires produce polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), among which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of environmental concern. After a fire affecting a Mediterranean creek, we studied the distribution and short-term permanence of PACs and of 16 priority PAH pollutants in the aquatic environment. PACs were traced through absorbance and fluorescence emissions and organic carbon concentrations. PAHs were analysed by gas chromatography. High TOC/DOC concentrations and fluorescence/absorbance values reflected abnormal inputs of fire-induced aromatic compounds. Their concentrations decreased gradually but showed sporadic peaks after precipitation. Fifteen months later, values still surpassed background levels. Initially concentrations of individual and total PAH species of the dissolved, particulate and sediment phases were increased. Then they fluctuated with new PAH inputs related with runoff, leaching and soil erosion following precipitation events. All PAH concentrations approached background levels 15 months after the fire, and never reached values of toxicological concern. However, some bioaccumulation may have occurred.
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Key areas receiving particular attention are the production and mobilisation of PAHs and heavy metals.
“Key areas receiving particular attention as a result of concern about their environmental effects are the production and mobilisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (e.g.Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007;Campos et al. 2012;Oliveira-Filho et al. 2018).”
From Chemical composition of wildfire ash produced in contrasting ecosystems and its toxicity to Daphnia magna (2019) · cites this paper as Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007
The data available on PAH release following a fire are quite limited.
“The data available on PAHs release following a fire, however, are quite limited (Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007;Kim et al. 2011;Campos et al. 2012;Rey-Salgueiro et al. 2018).”
From Chemical composition of wildfire ash produced in contrasting ecosystems and its toxicity to Daphnia magna (2019) · cites this paper as Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007
The organic fraction of ash may also contain organic contaminants of biological concern.
“The organic fraction of ash may also contain organic contaminants of biological concern (Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007;Chen et al. 2018).”
From Chemical composition of wildfire ash produced in contrasting ecosystems and its toxicity to Daphnia magna (2019) · cites this paper as Vila-Escale ´et al. 2007
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- Authors
- Vila-Escalé, M., Vegas-Vilarrúbia, T., & Prat, N.
- Affiliations
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
- Corresponding author
- Vegas-Vilarrúbia, T.
- Venue
- Water Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-05
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 2171-2179
- ISSN
- 0043-1354 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1969602612
- Cited by
- 114
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 2.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Water Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies
- Keywords
- polycyclic aromatic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, forest fires, aquatic environment, dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, sediment contamination, runoff, leaching, soil erosion, bioaccumulation, priority pollutants
- MeSH terms
- Conservation of Natural Resources, Fires, Fresh Water, Inorganic Chemicals, Organic Chemicals, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Spain, Mediterranean Region
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