AP LOS ANGELES

As crews remove tons of hazardous debris from the Los Angeles wildfires, researchers are assessing the impact on the ocean. The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and vehicles, turning everyday items into toxic ash filled with pesticides, asbestos, plastics, lead, and heavy metals. “We haven’t seen this many buildings burn so close to the water,” said Tracy Quinn, CEO of Heal the Bay. Fire debris and toxic ash could make the ocean unsafe for surfers and swimmers, especially after rainfall washes contaminants into the sea. Scientists also worry about long-term effects on marine life and the food chain.

Mara Dias of the Surfrider Foundation raised  concerns about ocean water contamination, noting that strong winds carried smoke and ash far beyond the blazes. Marine ecologist Julie Dinasquet reported ash and waste as far as 161 km offshore. Rain runoff is an immediate threat, picking up contaminants and trash as it flows through drains and rivers into the ocean. “There are a lot of nutrients, nitrogen, phosphate, heavy metals, and PAHs in the burn material that can end up in the water,” said Dias. Mudslides and debris flows in burn zones add to the problem.