Wildfire Effects on Groundwater Quality from Springs Connected to Small Public Supply Systems in a Peri-Urban Forest Area (Braga Region, NW Portugal)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Mansilha, C (Author) Other; Melo, A (Author) Other; Martins, ZE (Author) Other; Ferreira, Isabel (Author) FFUP; Pereira, AM (Author) Other; Marques, JM (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Water

Vol. 12

Final page: 1146

ISSN: 2073-4441

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-4W5

DOI: 10.3390/w12041146

Abstract (EN): Peri-urban areas are territories that combine urban and rural features, being particularly vulnerable to wildfire due to the contact between human infrastructures and dense vegetation. Wildfires may cause considerable direct and indirect effects on the local water cycle, but the influence on groundwater quality is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the chemistry of several springs connected to small public supply systems in a peri-urban area, following a large wildfire that took place in October 2017. Groundwater samples were collected in four springs that emerged within burned forests, while control samples were from one spring located in an unburned area. Sampling took place from October 2017 until September 2018, starting 15 days after the wildfire occurrence, to evaluate the influence of the time after fire and the effect of precipitation events on groundwater composition. Groundwater samples collected in burned areas presented increased content of sulfate, fluoride and nitrogen and variability in pH values. Iron, manganese and chromium contents also increased during the sampling period. Post-fire concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mainly the carcinogenic ones, increased especially after intense winter and spring rain events, but the levels did not exceed the guideline values for drinking water.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16