The Palisades and Eaton fires in California scorched thousands of homes and businesses, turning everyday items into hazardous ash containing pesticides, asbestos, plastics, lead, and heavy metals. As crews work to remove the debris, scientists and officials are concerned about the impact of the ash on the Pacific Ocean. Runoff from rains and mudslides could transport contaminants into the sea, potentially making the water unsafe for surfers and swimmers. Long-term effects on the marine ecosystem are also a worry.
On a recent Sunday, Tracy Quinn drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to assess damage wrought upon the coastline by the Palisades Fire. The water line was darkened by ash. Burnt remnants of washing machines and dryers and metal appliances were strewn about the shoreline. Sludge carpeted the water's edge. Waves during high tide lapped onto charred homes, pulling debris and potentially toxic ash into the ocean as they receded.
That runoff could contain 'a lot of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphate that end up in the ash of the burn material that can get into the water,' said Dias, as well as 'heavy metals, something called PAHs, which are given off when you burn different types of fuel.'Mudslides and debris flows in the Palisades Fire burn zone also can dump more hazardous waste into the ocean.
WILD FIRES OCEAN CONTAMINATION TOXIC ASH MARINE ECOSYSTEM CALIFORNIA
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