Impact of fire on hydrological and chemical signatures in karst vadose zone water, Wombeyan Caves, New South Wales, Australia

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dc.contributor.authorBian, Fen_AU
dc.contributor.authorColeborn, Ken_AU
dc.contributor.authorFlemons, Ien_AU
dc.contributor.authorTreble, PCen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBaker, AAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBaker, ACen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2022-08-30T21:50:35Zen_AU
dc.date.available2022-08-30T21:50:35Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2017-07-11en_AU
dc.date.statistics2021-11-02en_AU
dc.description.abstractImpact of wildfire on karst-vadose-zone hydrology and hydrogeochemistry is hard to evaluate owing to the complexity of subsurface environment. The aim of this study is to understand the variation of hydrogeochemical components and drip discharge in response to a moderate-intensity 10m x10m experimental fire above the shallow Wildman’s Cave at Wombeyan, Australia, in May, 2016. Water isotopes and cation analyses were conducted on drip waters collected pre- and post-fire. Ongoing drip water collection began in Dec, 2014. And drip rate has been monitored continuously using acoustic data loggers. Discharge into cave is discontinuous, indicative of limited soil and karst storage. The post-fire drip data demonstrate decreased duration of recharge, with approximately x3 increase in peak discharge, which we hypothesize is caused by the decrease of soil-storage capacity. Water isotope compositions have significantly changed after fire, with d2H isotope composition up to ~56 per mil lower and d18O ~6.3 per mil lower in the week after fire. With time, isotopic values return to pre-fire values. We hypothesize that this temporary depletion in water isotopic composition reflects a combination of post-fire rainfall isotope composition, loss of pre-fire evaporatively enriched soil and shallow karst stored water.Drip water concentrations of bedrock-related elements (Calcium, Strontium) and soil-related elements (Zinc, Nickle) decreased after the fire. We hypothesize that these reflect the loss of soil and soil biological activity above the cave, and agree with a decrease of soil storage capacity. This research demonstrates that even in complex hydrogeological settings, understanding the impact of local wildfire on subsurface system can be improved through the combination of drip water hydrograph analysis and geochemical analysis. This will provide opportunities to broaden the insights into improved fire management in karst environments and a better understanding of the relationship between surface environment conditions and vadose zone hydrology.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationBian, F., Coleborn, K., Flemons, I., Treble, P. C., Baker, A., & Baker, A., (2017). Impact of fire on hydrological and chemical signatures in karst vadose zone water, Wombeyan Caves, New South Wales, Australia. Poster presented to the 2017 Biennial Australasian Groundwater Conference, UNSW Sydney, 11 - 13 July 2017. Retrieved from: http://agc-2017.p.agc2017.currinda.com/days/2017-07-11/abstract/243en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate13 July 2017en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename2017 Biennial Australasian Groundwater Conferenceen_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceSydney, Australiaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate11 July 2017en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://agc-2017.p.agc2017.currinda.com/days/2017-07-11/abstract/243en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/13683en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherNational Centre for Groundwater Research And Trainingen_AU
dc.subjectFiresen_AU
dc.subjectCavesen_AU
dc.subjectWateren_AU
dc.subjectNew South Walesen_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectHydrologyen_AU
dc.subjectEnvironmenten_AU
dc.subjectIsotopesen_AU
dc.subjectSoilsen_AU
dc.titleImpact of fire on hydrological and chemical signatures in karst vadose zone water, Wombeyan Caves, New South Wales, Australiaen_AU
dc.typeConference Posteren_AU
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