Scorched Earth: The impact of increased wildfire activity on soils and associated ecosystems

We will investigate the impacts of wildfires on natural nanoparticles (NPs) in soil and water in two different regions: central Newfoundland, Canada, and the Landes de Gascogne forest, France.
The Landes de Gascogne forest experienced significant wildfires in 2022, particularly impacting two major sites: “La Teste de Buch” and “Landiras.” The Landes region is characterized by its production of “Pin Maritime” and has sandy soil. Fire damage from the 2021 wildfires in Newfoundland are distributed across the three burn areas: Paradise lake, Bay D’Espoir, and Southern Lake. The Newfoundland landscape is a mixture of bogs, barrens, rock outcrops, with shallow, acidic mineral soils. We will gather upper soil samples and soil cores representing the watershed pedology. We will also collect combustion residues from the soil surface, and surface water samples from nearby rivers.
We will use cutting-edge technologies to measure the distribution of trace elements amongst different forms of colloids (AF4-ICPMS), and in individual particles (sp-TOF-ICP-MS) in the sampled soils/sediments and waters to chemically characterize inorganic, organic, and mixed organic-inorganic NPs. To assess impacts on aquatic ecosystem quality, we will also analyze major and trace element compositions using ICP-MS on filtered water samples, as well as dissolved organic carbon concentrations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Chad Cuss

Student:

Partner:

Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: