Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

We identified water labile interfacial reactions between laboratory burned pinewood ash and mine waste solids that influence metal mobilization. The Upper Gallinas Creek Watershed in New Mexico is affected by wildfires and mining legacy. Pinewood and mine waste sediments were sampled from the area, and the pinewood was burned at 350°C to simulate medium burn intensity ignition. Rapid desorption and gradual dissolution of Mn and Fe was detected by ICP-MS as pH decreased over time. After reacting 18 MΩ ultra-pure water with a mixture of pinewood ash and mine waste sediments Fe (143%) and Mn (89.2%) concentrations increased over time. Copper, Pb, and Li water lability detected with ICP-MS was limited however, Pb concentrations exceeded the EPA’s MCL of 15 µg L-1 within the first hour of the experiment (23.1±34.2 ug L-1). Adsorption reactions between ash and metals may be attributed to the organic matter content and functional groups present in the ash, which can influence its negative surface. These findings provide relevant insights about metal release from areas affected by both wildfires and mining to inform post-fire watershed management.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Adrian J. Brearley

Second Committee Member

José M. Cerrato

Third Committee Member

Johanna M. Blake

Fourth Committee Member

Marisa Repasch

Fifth Committee Member

Matthew F. Kirk

Language

English

Keywords

metal mobility, wildfire, mining, iron, manganese, elevated metals

Document Type

Thesis

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