The catastrophic event that recently struck California provided a rare opportunity to observe in real time the devastating impacts of wildfires on marine life. Some researchers aboard the Reuben Lasker ship, off the coast of Los Angeles, were already studying marine ecosystems when smoke and ash from the fires reached their observation field.
Oceanographer Rasmus Swalethorp described the scene as feeling like winter, with snowflakes falling, but instead of ice, there were only ash particles.
This situation gave scientists the chance to collect data on the effects of urban fires on aquatic habitats. What had happened on land could significantly damage the ocean’s food web.
However, while research exists on the damage caused by wildfires burning organic material, there is still little information regarding pollution released by urban fires like those that hit the “City of Angels,” where substances such as plastic, pesticides, and lithium-ion batteries were incinerated.
Julie Dinasquet, a research associate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of San Diego, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, explaining that fires bring tons of toxic compounds into the seas. She expressed concern that these toxins could enter the food chain and accumulate in the fish that end up on our tables. The ash and debris collected in the nets had already shown traces of hazardous substances, and their spread could compromise the health of the entire ocean ecosystem.
The alarm is particularly concerning for one category of fish: anchovies, a crucial food source for many species, including whales and tuna. At the time of the fires, anchovies were laying their eggs, and the introduction of toxins could have compromised their ability to develop. Moreover, winter rains could now worsen the situation, washing harmful substances into coastal waters and creating an even more dangerous environment for marine life.
This pioneering research, involving scholars from Scripps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), based in Silver Spring, Maryland, could mark the beginning of long-term monitoring to understand how fires impact the health of the oceans. According to Swalethorp, this is the first time they have had the opportunity to truly study the impacts of what happens when household and chemical substances catch fire and end up in the water.
The Reuben Lasker ship has collected samples down to 140 meters in depth, providing a unique insight into a phenomenon that could have devastating implications for global marine habitats.
In the future, upcoming cruises and scientific expeditions may offer new opportunities for study and help define ecological responses to wildfires, which each year seem to strike the planet with increasing intensity.
