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Short‐Term Effects of Wildfire Ash on Water Quality Parameters: A Laboratory Approach

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Abstract

Climate change coupled with inappropriate burning practices has increased large-scale wildfires in Brazilian tropical savannahs (Cerrado). Considering that the effects of ash from wildfires on water parameters are scarcely known in tropical savannahs, this study investigated the chemical changes caused by ash in the soft water, commonly used for bioassays. To this end, ash samples were collected immediately following a fire in a Cerrado area (Federal District, Brazil) and put into water (1:10 ash:soft-water m/v) to check physical parameters under laboratory conditions. Major water-extractable elements (K+, SO42−, Ca2+, PO43−, Na+, Mg2+) from ash strongly altered water quality parameters: elevated total dissolved solids and conductivity levels as well as an increase in pH and decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration were reported over the course of the experiment (15 days) compared to control conditions. Our results point out relevant solubilized compounds from ashes which may potentially impact water quality in post-fire scenarios.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Brazilian Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), under Research Grant # 478637/2012-8. Luiz H. G. Santos received a grant from PIBIC/UniCEUB. Águas Emendadas Ecological Station and Embrapa Cerrados are acknowledged for permission to perform this study in their areas and facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty UnB at Planaltina (FUP/UnB) Planaltina, University of Brasília, Brasília, Federal District (DF), 73345-010, Brazil

    Darlan Q. Brito & Carlos José Sousa Passos

  2. Centro Universitário de Brasília (UniCEUB), SEPN 707/907, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District (DF), 70790-075, Brazil

    Luiz H. G. Santos & Eduardo C. Oliveira-Filho

  3. Embrapa Cerrados, Road BR-020, km 18, Planaltina, Federal District (DF), 73310-970, Brazil

    Darlan Q. Brito, Luiz H. G. Santos & Eduardo C. Oliveira-Filho

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  1. Darlan Q. Brito
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  2. Luiz H. G. Santos
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  3. Carlos José Sousa Passos
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  4. Eduardo C. Oliveira-Filho
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Correspondence to Darlan Q. Brito or Eduardo C. Oliveira-Filho.

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Brito, D.Q., Santos, L.H.G., Passos, C.J.S. et al. Short‐Term Effects of Wildfire Ash on Water Quality Parameters: A Laboratory Approach. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 500–505 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03220-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03220-9

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