@article {bnh-5403, title = {Risk of post-fire metal mobilization into surface water resources: A review}, journal = {Science of the total Environment}, volume = {599-600}, year = {2017}, abstract = {

One of the significant economic benefits to communities around the world of having pristine forest\ catchments\ is the supply of substantial quantities of high quality potable water. This supports a saving of around US$ 4.1 trillion per year globally by limiting the cost of expensive\ drinking water treatments\ and provision of unnecessary infrastructure. Even low levels of contaminants specifically organics and metals in catchments when in a mobile state can reduce these economic benefits by seriously affecting the water quality.\ Contamination\ and contaminant mobility can occur through natural and anthropogenic activities including\ forest fires. Moderate to high intensity forest fires are able to alter\ soil properties\ and release sequestered metals from sediments,\ soil organic matter\ and fragments of vegetation. In addition, the increase in post-fire\ erosion rate\ by rainfall runoff and strong winds facilitates the rapid transport of these metals downslope and downstream. The subsequent metal deposition in distal soil and water bodies can influence surface water quality with potential impacts to the larger ecosystems inclusive of negative effects on humans. This is of substantial concern as 4 billion hectares of forest catchments provide high quality water to global communities. Redressing this problem requires quantification of the potential effects on water resources and instituting rigorous fire and\ environmental management\ plans to mitigate deleterious effects on catchment areas. This paper is a review of the current state of the art literature dealing with the risk of post-fire mobilization of the metals into surface water resources. It is intended to inform discussion on the preparation of suitable management plans and policies during and after fire events in order to maintain potable water quality in a cost-effective manner. In these times of climate fluctuation and increased incidence of fires, the need for development of new policies and management frameworks are of heighted significance.

}, keywords = {Catchment, Ecosystem, environment, forest fire, Metal, Water resources}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.096}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969717311968}, author = {Joji Abraham and Kim Dowling and Singarayer Florentine} } @article {bnh-4697, title = {The Unquantified Risk of Post-Fire Metal Concentration in Soil: a Review}, journal = {Water, Air, \& Soil Pollution}, volume = {228}, year = {2017}, month = {04/2017}, abstract = {

Forest fire is a natural disturbance that occurs in many terrestrial ecosystems specifically in the semi-arid environments and is considered to be an important cause of environmental change. Though many causes of fire are identified, including lightning, volcanic eruption, power line sparks, etc., human involvement is the most significant factor. Fire events are able to alter the physical, chemical and biogeochemical properties of the soil and surface materials and are able to release major and trace metals into the environment. This may be more significant in mining-affected and industrial landscapes, where elevated concentrations of metals present in the soil. After the fire event, metals become more mobile due to the increase in soil surface exposure and the mobility associated with ash dispersal. This mobility may increase the bioavailability of the metals, which may generate water quality issues and may contribute to human and environmental health concerns. Even though, the influences of fire on many soil properties are well established, the behaviour of metals with respect to fire is not well investigated. However, a few studies report that major and trace metals include Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and As are mobilized after fire with increased concentrations in soil and water resources and this might pose a risk to human health and ecosystems. Climate change may increase the intensity, frequency and areal extend of fire events and hence increase the metal concentrations and their potential health impacts. This paper reviews post-fire (wild fire) mobility of metals in soil common in contaminated forest ecosystems. The human and ecological health risks of these metals are also considered.

}, keywords = {Climate change, environment, fire., forest, soil}, doi = {10.1007}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11270-017-3338-0$\#$citeas}, author = {Joji Abraham and Kim Dowling and Singarayer Florentine} }