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Cited by 119Fire effects on ecosystemsHeavy metals in environmentEnvironmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies

Trace Elements in Stormflow, Ash, and Burned Soil following the 2009 Station Fire in Southern California

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Burton, Carmen A., Hoefen, Todd M., Plumlee, Geoffrey S., Baumberger, Katherine L., Backlin, Adam R., Gallegos, Elizabeth, Fisher, Robert N.·2016·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0153372PMC PMC4856391
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Abstract

Most research on the effects of wildfires on stream water quality has focused on suspended sediment and nutrients in streams and water bodies, and relatively little research has examined the effects of wildfires on trace elements. The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) to determine the effect of the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Los Angeles, CA on trace element concentrations in streams, and 2) compare trace elements in post-fire stormflow water quality to criteria for aquatic life to determine if trace elements reached concentrations that can harm aquatic life. Pre-storm and stormflow water-quality samples were collected in streams located inside and outside of the burn area of the Station Fire. Ash and burned soil samples were collected from several locations within the perimeter of the Station Fire. Filtered concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Hg and total concentrations of most trace elements in storm samples were elevated as a result of the Station Fire. In contrast, filtered concentrations of Cu, Pb, Ni, and Se and total concentrations of Cu were elevated primarily due to storms and not the Station Fire. Total concentrations of Se and Zn were elevated as a result of both storms and the Station Fire. Suspended sediment in stormflows following the Station Fire was an important transport mechanism for trace elements. Cu, Pb, and Zn primarily originate from ash in the suspended sediment. Fe primarily originates from burned soil in the suspended sediment. As, Mn, and Ni originate from both ash and burned soil. Filtered concentrations of trace elements in stormwater samples affected by the Station Fire did not reach levels that were greater than criteria established for aquatic life. Total concentrations for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn were detected at concentrations above criteria established for aquatic life.

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  • Sediments and ash often contain contaminants, including organic pollutants and metals.

    “and sediments and ash often contain contaminants, including organic pollutants and metals (e.g., Burton et al., 2016).”

    From Wildfire Induces Changes in Receiving Waters: A Review With Considerations for Water Quality Management (2022) · cites this paper as Burton et al., 2016

    The Results and Discussion (‘Ash and burned soil’) report metals including arsenic, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc in ash, while the Conclusions link trace elements to suspended sediment. The paper does not establish that ash or sediment contains organic pollutants; its discussion of organic matter concerns how it affects metal toxicity, not organic contaminants. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • There were 19 observed exceedances of aquatic life use criteria for particulate metal concentrations including for iron, lead, nickel, and zinc, which were 10-1,000x higher than unburned or pre-burn concentrations.

    “However, there were 19 observed exceedances of aquatic life use criteria for particulate metal concentrations including for iron, lead, nickel, and zinc, which were 10–1,000x higher than unburned or pre-burn concentrations (Table 2).”

    From Wildfire Induces Changes in Receiving Waters: A Review With Considerations for Water Quality Management (2022) · cites this paper as Burton et al., 2016

    The Aquatic standards section reports 19 exceedances for total Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn. The Trace element concentrations section reports that total concentrations of most trace elements in stormflow inside the burn area were 10–1,000 times those outside it. It does not establish that each of the 19 exceedances was 10–1,000 times higher, or give that range relative to pre-storm concentrations. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • One study of a well buffered stream in southern California observed no change in pH following fires.

    “One study of a well buffered stream, for example, in southern California observed no change in pH following fires (Burton et al., 2016).”

    From Wildfire Induces Changes in Receiving Waters: A Review With Considerations for Water Quality Management (2022) · cites this paper as Burton et al., 2016

  • One of the few studies exploring fires burning urbanized areas in the WUI found that ash from building materials in southern California was higher in arsenic, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc than wildland ash.

    “One of the few studies exploring fires burning urbanized areas in the WUI found that ash from building materials in southern California was higher in arsenic, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc than wildland ash (Burton et al., 2016).”

    From Wildfire Induces Changes in Receiving Waters: A Review With Considerations for Water Quality Management (2022) · cites this paper as Burton et al., 2016

  • Increases in metals were observed following fire across biomes, including boreal peatlands, temperate forests, and Mediterranean forests, and from wildfires as well as prescribed burns.

    “Increases in metals were observed following fire across biomes, including boreal peatlands (Brown et al., 2013), temperate forests (Rust et al., 2018), and Mediterranean forests (Burton et al., 2016; Nunes et al., 2017), and from wildfires as well as prescribed burns (Harper et al., 2018).”

    From Wildfire Induces Changes in Receiving Waters: A Review With Considerations for Water Quality Management (2022) · cites this paper as Burton et al., 2016

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Authors
Burton, C. A., Hoefen, T. M., Plumlee, G. S., Baumberger, K. L., Backlin, A. R., Gallegos, E., & Fisher, R. N.
Affiliations
United States Geological Survey (US)
Corresponding author
Burton, Carmen A.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2016-05-04
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
e0153372
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0153372
PMC
PMC4856391
OpenAlex
W2345734401
Cited by
119
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6
FWCI
4.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies
Keywords
trace elements, stormflow, ash, burned soil, suspended sediment, iron, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, selenium, aquatic life criteria, Angeles National Forest
MeSH terms
California, Fires, Soil, Trace Elements, Water Pollutants, Chemical

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