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Metals export to streams during base flow and storm events in the 416 Fire, southwest Colorado

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dc.contributor.authorPulver, Bryce A., author
dc.contributor.authorKampf, Stephanie K., advisor
dc.contributor.authorRoss, Matthew R. V., committee member
dc.contributor.authorLeisz, Stephen J., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-07T10:20:24Z
dc.date.available2021-06-07T10:20:24Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractWith approximately two thirds of the Western U.S. relying on fresh water from forested areas, it is vital to understand how wildfires can affect the release of metals into soil water and streams. Moderate to high intensity fires can alter the physical and chemical properties of soil, allowing elevated release of sediment, organic matter, and nutrients to streams. While many studies have focused on how fires affect sediment loading, nutrient export, and organic matter; less research has been conducted on how wildfire impacts the export of metals. This study examines metals export from the 2018 416 fire near Durango, CO during baseflow and storm events. Six tributaries (3.88-38.8 km2) and five sites on Hermosa Creek (152-435 km2) were sampled and analyzed for metal concentrations. We examine how metal concentrations relate to burn severity and watershed characteristics under different flow conditions using both univariate correlation analysis and multivariate models. Metal concentrations were significantly greater in burned baseflow samples compared to unburned locations for As, Ca, K, Mg, Mo, Si, Sr, and Zn. Concentrations of As in baseflow exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) primary drinking water maximum contaminant level (MCL). Metal concentrations in baseflow were positively correlated with percentage of watershed burned, burn severity, and basin slope, and negatively correlated with basin elevation, drainage area, and average annual precipitation. Metal concentrations increased significantly (mean factor change = 20.6) in storm samples compared to pre-storm samples for Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Si, and Zn with Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb being above an EPA or World Health Organization (WHO) MCL. Although storm samples were limited, metal concentrations were correlated with watershed burn severity (r ~ 0.8), indicating elevated metal concentrations likely came from burned areas. Overall, this study demonstrated that wildfires cause elevated metal concentrations in both baseflow and stormflow, but with the exception of As, only the stormflow metal concentrations posed water quality concerns, with 10 metals exceeding both EPA and WHO MCL's for drinking water.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierPulver_colostate_0053N_16580.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/232548
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectpost-fire
dc.subjecttrace metals
dc.subjectbase flow
dc.subjectwater quality
dc.subjectstorm events
dc.titleMetals export to streams during base flow and storm events in the 416 Fire, southwest Colorado
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEcosystem Science and Sustainability
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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