CoRenewal’s Post-fire BIOFILTRATION INITIATIVE
Mycofiltration of toxic ash post-fire: Protecting our waterways
|
Please consider joining this urgent initiative and supporting our fundraiser!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/corenewalpostfire |
Overview:
With the rise of catastrophic megafires in California, there is a growing concern about post-fire toxic ash, and the consequences of ash-runoff entering the surrounding waterways. As the rainy season nears, we are facing complex contamination and likely unprecedented harm to fragile and sensitive aquatic ecosystems. In response, CoRenewal is ready to research and develop more effective and widely applicable methods with multiple benefits for our water, soil, communities. Our first step is to collect baseline data to measure the effects of using fungi to biodegrade these toxins (i.e., mycoremediation) via the use of wattles inoculated with Pleurotus (Oyster Mushroom) mycelium. Our intention is to use this data to promote evidence-based remediation techniques to further support ecological restoration of fire-affected areas, and increase water-retention within soils, which may ultimately limit the frequency and severity of wildfires.
CoRenewal recognizes that protecting sensitive waterways from toxic ash runoff after a destructive wildfire is imperative. While there is evidence suggesting fungal-inoculated wattles would be a great tool post-fire, this will be one of few studies to examine this method.
With the rise of catastrophic megafires in California, there is a growing concern about post-fire toxic ash, and the consequences of ash-runoff entering the surrounding waterways. As the rainy season nears, we are facing complex contamination and likely unprecedented harm to fragile and sensitive aquatic ecosystems. In response, CoRenewal is ready to research and develop more effective and widely applicable methods with multiple benefits for our water, soil, communities. Our first step is to collect baseline data to measure the effects of using fungi to biodegrade these toxins (i.e., mycoremediation) via the use of wattles inoculated with Pleurotus (Oyster Mushroom) mycelium. Our intention is to use this data to promote evidence-based remediation techniques to further support ecological restoration of fire-affected areas, and increase water-retention within soils, which may ultimately limit the frequency and severity of wildfires.
CoRenewal recognizes that protecting sensitive waterways from toxic ash runoff after a destructive wildfire is imperative. While there is evidence suggesting fungal-inoculated wattles would be a great tool post-fire, this will be one of few studies to examine this method.
We are developing strategies for filtering, mitigating, and biodegrading toxic debris and ash runoff (i.e., ash-effluent) post-fire before it enters fragile ecosystems and waterways. In particular, our team seeks to determine the efficacy of straw wattles inoculated with a native fungus for capturing and filtering ash below homes burned by wildfires. We have developed and will implement a robust experimental design that compares the efficacy of uninoculated wattles and wattles inoculated with a local Pleurotus species to quantify soil aggregates, biosorption of heavy metals, and biodegradation of petroleum before toxic debris and ash runoff enter high-risk waterways within the CZU Lightning Complex and the LNU Lightning Complex fire burn zones.
This study is providing valuable baseline information, and creating a foundation for future studies. In addition, we will collect samples from other experimental installations to provide baseline data on the use of multiple substrates, erosion-control technologies, microbial amendments and inoculants. Furthermore, our research will elucidate the impacts, or unintended consequences, of these types of community-led initiatives to evaluate and refine best management practices for ameliorating the impact of toxic ash-effluent on sensitive ecosystems. Our baseline soil samples have been collected from locations where wattles and remediation techniques are implemented, with continued access for testing and monitoring. Baseline Data from this preliminary study will inform the expanded scope and nature of our proposed long-term study.
This study is providing valuable baseline information, and creating a foundation for future studies. In addition, we will collect samples from other experimental installations to provide baseline data on the use of multiple substrates, erosion-control technologies, microbial amendments and inoculants. Furthermore, our research will elucidate the impacts, or unintended consequences, of these types of community-led initiatives to evaluate and refine best management practices for ameliorating the impact of toxic ash-effluent on sensitive ecosystems. Our baseline soil samples have been collected from locations where wattles and remediation techniques are implemented, with continued access for testing and monitoring. Baseline Data from this preliminary study will inform the expanded scope and nature of our proposed long-term study.
Want to learn more?
- Check out our Post-fire Remediation and Watershed Defense Webinar with CoRenewal’s Taylor Bright and Matthew Trumm
- Read When the West Coast wildfires are out, can mushrooms help with the cleanup? Recently published article in AG Insider, featuring CoRenewal’s Executive Director Maya Elson
- Learn more about our efforts in Preparing for Winter Rains After the Fires with Santa Cruz Permaculture, or Ecologists Use Mushrooms to Detoxify Soil and Water After Wildfires with Food Tank
Watch "After The Burn"
A short film on the post-fire mycoremediation featuring CoRenewal's Maya Elson and Cheetah Tchudi
A short film on the post-fire mycoremediation featuring CoRenewal's Maya Elson and Cheetah Tchudi
How you can help:
- Donate using the button below to help us pay for sampling supplies, soil tests, wattles, etc.
- If you are a scientist interested in helping us analyze our samples and/or expand our study, we'd love to hear from you!
- We are seeking fundraising support to ensure the long-term sustainability of this project
- Join our teams of volunteers in Santa Cruz or Sonoma County
Tax-deductible donations can also be sent via PayPal to corenewalinc@gmail.com, just be sure to make a note that it is for "Post-fire Watershed Defense" and that you are seeking a tax deduction. Thanks!