Researchers at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) have received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the chemical processes in soil that occur after wildfires, which can make soil repel water and increase risks of floods and landslides. The project, led by Associate Research Professor Vera Samburova and Postdoctoral Researcher Yan Wen, will focus on identifying organic chemical compounds and functional groups responsible for post-fire soil water repellency. The three-year research initiative began this month.
“We know that after fires, soil becomes very water-repellent (or hydrophobic),” said principal investigator Samburova. “We often see the news reports of mudslides or debris flows after rain especially in areas with recent fire scars. When soil is exposed to high temperatures, certain compounds can create a repellent layer that prevents water from soaking in. In this research, we will study the chemistry of the post-fire soils and identify which compounds contribute to the formation of this water repellency. Our findings will help predict and reduce the harmful impacts of wildfires.”
The team will collect pre- and post-wildfire soil samples from various ecosystems such as sagebrush and pine forests. These samples will be compared with those collected by Dr. Samburova following recent wildland-urban interface fires in Los Angeles.
“Through this research, we will provide fundamental data on the chemical composition of post-fire soils with a focus on soil water repellency and reflectance,” said co-principal investigator Wen. “The experiments and analytical techniques will provide transformative insights into post-fire soil chemistry and its implications for post-fire soil assessments, which directly relate to mitigation efforts for floods and landslides.”
According to DRI, results from this study are expected to improve predictions, modeling, and mitigation strategies regarding wildfire impacts on communities and environments throughout Nevada, nearby states, and across the western United States.
“We look forward to sharing the results of this project with local and regional land- and fire-management agencies and other stakeholders, as well as with users of remote sensing techniques for post-fire soil assessments,” added Samburova.
The grant was awarded through NSF’s Division of Chemistry: Disciplinary Research Programs under Environmental Chemical Sciences (more information at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ecs-environmental-chemical-sciences).
Founded in 1959 as a non-profit institute in Nevada, DRI conducts scientific research aimed at addressing significant environmental questions both locally and globally.