Research
Ongoing
Scordo, F., Bavandpour, M., Or, D. Ebrahimian, H., Chandra, S. Transport and deposition patterns of wildfire-produced ash, firebrand and smoke and their ecological significance
The objective of this work is to develop a mechanistic and unifying framework that captures the full lifecycle of airborne pyrogenic particles generated during wildfires, including their generation, lofting, atmospheric transport, and eventual deposition. By integrating physical modeling with collected field data, we aim to bridge the gap between theoretical predictions and real-world outcomes. Specifically, we compare model outputs with the mass and chemical composition of particles collected in the field at various distances from the 2021 Caldor Fire in California to assess the accuracy and applicability of the proposed framework. Furthermore, we examine the ecological implications of the deposition footprint, highlighting how these particles may influence ecosystem recovery in post-fire landscapes.
Redding, C., Scordo, F., et al. Wildfire emissions impacts on human health
Wildfire is increasingly recognized as a significant global environmental and public health crisis. The rising frequency and intensity of these fires pose serious risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and public health. In the United States alone, wildfire-related costs can reach up to $893 billion annually, including property damage, health impacts, and pollution. One of the most urgent concerns is the growing health risks associated with exposure to wildfire smoke. This smoke contains harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds. These substances can disrupt multiple organ systems, worsen pre-existing medical conditions, and lead to long-term health issues. Most research has primarily focused on the short-term effects of wildfire smoke on individual organ systems, often examining adult populations. This leaves significant gaps in understanding the broader health impacts on various groups, including infants, the elderly, and first responders. Furthermore, existing studies often neglect the long-term effects and the role of public health factors—like emotional,
environmental, and social wellbeing—that can influence how communities respond to health threats related to wildfires. This project aims to address these gaps by conducting a comprehensive literature review of recent studies on the health impacts of wildfire smoke. The review will compile and synthesize information about different fire types, exposure durations, particle characteristics, and the organ systems affected. This effort will help direct future research and inform public health policies.
Finished
Bolan, S., Sharma, S., Mukherjee, S…., Scordo F., et al. 2025 Wildfires under changing climate, and their environmental and health impacts. J Soils Sediments.
This international collaboration aimed to assess the environmental and health impacts of wildfires, with a specific focus on the contaminants present in soil, water, and air. By conducting a thorough literature review, researchers from various countries synthesized global studies on wildfire emissions and their effects on the environment and human health. The findings indicated that post-wildfire trace elemental concentrations and their speciation are influenced by factors such as plant species, geology, and topography. Recent research has shown increased levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suspended solids, and water turbidity in lakes located within wildfire-affected watersheds. The response of individual ecosystems to wildfire varies depending on factors like proximity to the fire, fire characteristics, the type of fuel, and the materials burned, as well as fundamental drivers of water quality. By consolidating global research, this review emphasizes the need for enhanced collaboration between the scientific community and regulatory agencies. Such cooperation is crucial for improving our understanding and effectively managing the impacts of wildfires on both the environment and human health. This collaborative effort lays a strong foundation for future research and policy development to address the increasing challenges posed by wildfires and their far-reaching consequences.
Smits A.P., Scordo F., Tang M. et al. 2024. Wildfire smoke reduces lake ecosystem metabolic rates unequally across a trophic gradient. Commun Earth Environ 5, 265.
The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of wildfire smoke on lakes, with a particular focus on trends in smoke coverage and its effects on ecosystem functions such as gross primary production and ecosystem respiration. The research assessed these impacts across ten lakes in California, USA, which varied in water clarity and nutrient concentrations. Between 2006 and 2022, we observed a significant increase in the spatial extent of medium- to high-density smoke, expanding by 300,000 km² from June to October. During the three years with the heaviest smoke coverage (2018, 2020, and 2021), lakes experienced 23 to 45 days of medium to high-density smoke. This led to a 20% reduction in shortwave radiation flux and a five-fold increase in acceptable concentrations of particulate matter. The results indicated that ecosystem respiration generally declined during periods of smoke cover, with the most significant declines observed in low-nutrient, cold lakes. The response of gross primary production to smoke was more variable, depending on the specific attributes of each lake. The study concluded that both lake characteristics and the timing of wildfires are crucial in mediating the effects of smoke on freshwater ecosystems. This underscores the importance of considering these factors when assessing the impacts of wildfires.
