Abstract
The presence of toxic substances is one of the major causes of degradation of soil quality. Wildfires, besides affecting various chemical, physical, and biological soil properties, produce a mixture of potentially toxic substances which can reach the soil and water bodies and cause harm to these media. This review intends to summarise the current knowledge on the generation by wildfires of potentially toxic substances, their effects on soil organisms, and other associated risks, addressing the effects of fire on metal mobilisation, the pyrolytic production of potentially toxic compounds, and the detoxifying effect of charcoal. Numerous studies ascertained inhibitory effects of ash on seed germination and seedling growth as well as its toxicity to soil and aquatic organisms. Abundant publications addressed the mobilisation of heavy metals and trace elements by fire, including analyses of total concentrations, speciation, availability, and risk of exportation to water bodies. Many publications studied the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other organic pollutants in soils after fire, their composition, decline over time, the risk of contamination of surface and ground waters, and their toxicity to plants, soil, and water organisms. Finally, the review addresses the possible detoxifying role of charcoal in soils affected by fire.
Highlights
Soil is a crucial component of ecosystems and plays a major role in ecosystem services
Among the major factors producing deterioration of soil quality, it is necessary to highlight the presence of toxic substances, which have a deleterious effect on soil biota, enzymatic activity and on the protective role of soil on the quality of water, air, and vegetation
Pinus pinaster Aiton, the ash produced by forest fires has an inhibiting effect on germination and germination rate decreased as the amount of ash applied increased, especially for P. sylvestris and P. nigra
Summary
Soil is a crucial component of ecosystems and plays a major role in ecosystem services. Major wildfire effects on soil include loss of soil organic matter, deterioration of soil structure, decreased porosity, reduced water and cations retention, increase of soil pH and electrical conductivity, alteration of soil microbial and invertebrates’ communities, increased soil water repellence, decreased infiltration, and increased runoff and erosion [8–11]. These effects depend on the fire intensity, soil properties, and type of vegetation. Ash may contain substances capable of adversely affecting soil and water organisms
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