CIRES-led research used big data to analyze over 500 river basins to create and analyze the first large-scale database.
CIRES-led research used big data to analyze over 500 river basins to create and analyze the first large-scale database.
Years after wildfires burn forests and watersheds, the contaminants left behind continue to poison rivers and streams across the Western U.S. — much longer than scientists estimated.
A new study led by CIRES researchers, published today in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, analyzed water quality in more than 500 watersheds across the Western U.S., and is the first large-scale assessment of post-wildfire water quality.
“We were attempting to look at notable trends in post-wildfire water quality across the entire U.S. West, to help inform water management strategies in preparing for wildfire effects,” said Carli Brucker, lead author and former CU Boulder and Western Water Assessment PhD student.
Read more at University of Colorado at Boulder
Photo Credit: Hans via Pixabay
