Research finds wildfires alter stream chemistry for years

DURHAM — Wildfires alter the chemistry of streams for years, causing significantly lower concentrations of dissolved organic matter that provide a vital energy source to organisms living in streams and rivers, according to new research from the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of New Hampshire.

Researchers examined the effects of wildfire on stream chemistry and water quality in Yosemite National Park in California. They collected water samples from 12 streams that varied in wildfire history and watershed characteristics. Samples were analyzed using a high-resolution chemical analysis to examine how the concentration and composition of dissolved organic matter changes due to wildfire.