Understanding the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a forest fire site using a conceptual model based on field monitoring

Simon, Erwan; Choi, Sung-Deuk; Park, Minkyu

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.030

Cited by 30 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The fire effect on total soil PAH concentrations appeared to be short lived as the difference between burnt and unburnt eucalypt soil had become marginal by the eighth month after the fire (79% decrease over the first 8 months). A similar trend was observed by Kim et al (, 2011; 85% decrease over first 9 months), García‐Fálcon et al (; 57% decrease over first 10 months) and Simon et al (; approximately 50%). Worth mentioning that Vergnoux et al () also demonstrated the contribution of forest fires to the content of PAHs in burnt soils, as well as the decreased of their total levels with time.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…The relative contributions of the different PAHs, grouped by ring size, to the total topsoil and ash contents immediately after the fire revealed a clear dominance of three‐ and four‐ring PAHs over five‐ and six‐ring PAHs. A similar dominance of three‐ and four‐ring PAHs was reported for recently burnt forest soils by Kim et al () and Vergnoux et al (), and for recent wildfire ashes by Kim et al () and Simon et al (). That this dominance was a direct fire effect was also suggested by the comparison with the topsoil PAH profiles of the nearby, unburnt eucalypt stand.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

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Forest fires as potential triggers for production and mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the terrestrial ecosystem

et al. 2019

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Although forest fires have been identified as an important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), this problematic has not been thoroughly studied yet. This study addressed the role of wildfires and time since fire in the production and mobilization of PAHs to the terrestrial compartment. Levels of 15 priority PAHs were assessed in topsoil and ash samples (by GC–MS analysis) collected in two burnt areas and an unburnt one, comprising two types of vegetation coverage and four sampling occasions after fire. The fire had triggered an immediately increase of PAH levels in topsoil, according to the comparison of burnt and unburnt samples, but this impact had largely faded 4 months later. Although the fire severity did not play a role in immediate postfire PAH contents in topsoil and ashes, variations were found with the type of vegetation coverage being higher in pine slopes. The wildfire event markedly changed PAHs composition through enrichment in three‐ring PAHs (69% vs. 27%, burnt and unburnt, respectively), which dwindled more markedly in topsoil than in ashes. This study pointed out the key role of wildfires as a source of PAHs to the terrestrial compartment, as unveiled by the increased levels in topsoil and ashes. Additionally, it was found that PAHs could be mobilized from these matrixes over the first year after the fire, possibly leading to aquatic contamination. This finding suggests wildfires as a diffuse source of PAH contamination to freshwater systems, which need to be considering in future monitoring/management programs on the environmental impact of wildfires.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Forest fires as potential triggers for production and mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the terrestrial ecosystem

et al. 2019

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“…(), Choi (), Simon et al . (), and Tsibart et al . () found similar PAHs profiles in charred litter, ash and burned soils.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Forest fires are recognized as a major natural source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are emitted into atmosphere. Incomplete combustion of organic matter (OM) in wildfire increases the PAH levels in soil (Rey-Salgueiro et al, 2004;García-Falcón et al, 2006), fresh water and sediments (Simon et al, 2016). The combustion of wood is a source of PAHs, and high concentrations have been measured in the fumes and ash particles emitted by wood combustion (Freeman & Cattell, 1990;Baek et al, 1991;Rey-Salgueiro et al, 2016) with high potential to sink in OM-rich soils (Pontevedra-Pombal et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of the big capacity of sorption of PAHs, large amounts of them can be accumulated in the soil. However, some studies show that these high levels in soils are decreased with time by erosion and leaching, leading to higher levels of PAH in fresh waters and sediments (Simon et al, 2016). The increase in soil pH and in dissolved OM after a fire might promote the mobilization and redistribution of PAHs associated to OM (Chiou et al, 1986;McCarthy & Zachara, 1989;García-Falcón et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil Organic Horizons Depending on the Soil Burn Severity and Type of Ecosystem

et al. 2017

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Because forest fires are a source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the influence of burnt conditions is of paramount importance and has not been thoroughly studied yet. In this study, two types of forest stands (Pinus nigra and Pinus pinaster) and two shrubland systems (Erica arborea and Ulex europaeus), differing in litter properties (composition and flammability), were considered. Changes in PAH levels were analysed in unburnt and charred litter, and they were related to different levels of soil burn severity and the organic matter composition of the charred litter, including charcoal and/or ashes. For monitoring PAH levels, an analytical method to determine them in unburnt and burnt woodland samples by pressure liquid extraction using a solid phase extraction cleanup was optimized. The highest levels of PAHs were found in the charred litter of P. pinaster (especially at soil burn severity = 200–400 °C), followed by U. europaeus, which presented similar concentration than Erica arborea and, finally, P. nigra. An association between the low molecular weight PAHs and 50% burn‐off temperature differential scanning calorimetry supports the idea of fire smoke as the main source of low molecular weight PAHs in charred biomass generated at temperatures of 200–400 °C. Instead, the fraction of high molecular weight PAHs is related to hydrogen‐to‐carbon and oxygen‐to‐carbon ash‐free dry weight, with charring depending on their organic matter content in the burnt material. PAH mobility will depend on the solubility of the organic matter, which is higher at higher pHs. The higher risk is the transport downstream to rivers or wet systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Human risk assessment of ash soil after 2020 wildfires in Pantanal biome (Brazil)

Caumo

Lázaro

Oliveira

et al. 2022

Air Qual Atmos Health

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Wildfires have increased in the last years and, when caused by intentional illegal burnings, are frequently run out of control. Wildfire has been pointed out as an important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements (TEs) — such as, As, Ni, and Pb — to environmental compartments, and thus may pose a risk to human health and to the ecosystem. In 2020, the Brazilian biome, Pantanal, faced the largest losses by wildfires in the last 22 years. Ashes from the topsoil layer in Pantanal were collected after these wildfires at 20 sites divided into the sediment, forest, PF, PS, and degraded sites. Toxicity and associated risks for human health were also evaluated. The areas highly impacted by wildfires and by artisanal gold mining activities showed higher concentrations for TEs and PAHs than the protected areas. Pb varied from 8 ± 4 to 224 ± 81 mg kg −1 , and total PAH concentration ranged between 880 ± 314 and 1350 ± 70 ng g −1 , at sites impacted by anthropogenic activities. Moreover, health risk assessments for TE and PAH indicated a potentially great risk for children and adults, via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal pathway. The carcinogenic risks exceeded reference values, for both TE and PAH, suggesting harmful conditions, especially for vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-022-01248-2.

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Understanding the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a forest fire site using a conceptual model based on field monitoring

Cited by 30 publications

References 47 publications

Forest fires as potential triggers for production and mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the terrestrial ecosystem

Forest fires as potential triggers for production and mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the terrestrial ecosystem

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil Organic Horizons Depending on the Soil Burn Severity and Type of Ecosystem

Human risk assessment of ash soil after 2020 wildfires in Pantanal biome (Brazil)

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