Short-term effects of a wildfire on the water quality and macroinvertebrate community of a saline stream
Tracy A. Corbin
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Environment Protection Authority, GPO Box 2607, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Email: tracy.corbin@epa.sa.gov.au
International Journal of Wildland Fire 21(5) 537-544 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF11014
Submitted: 24 January 2011 Accepted: 12 October 2011 Published: 12 April 2012
Abstract
The effects of a wildfire on the water quality and macroinvertebrate community of a saline stream in a semiarid, predominantly cleared catchment were investigated. Samples collected for 12 months following the fire were compared with pre-fire conditions. Small increases in filterable reactive phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, colour and turbidity and decreases in dissolved oxygen were recorded the day after the fire; however, most concentrations returned to pre-fire conditions within 2–3 months. Increases in nutrients were likely due to the deposition of ash, smoke and debris. Total phosphorus and total Kjeldahl nitrogen in the lower part of the catchment remained significantly higher for the year after the fire. No fire-related changes in the macroinvertebrate community structure were apparent. Reduced rainfall following the fire, the predominantly cleared catchment and the presence of a saline-tolerant macroinvertebrate assemblage all contributed to the reduced effects from the fire.
Additional keywords: salinity, semiarid, Tod River, water chemistry.
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