In January 2025, firefighters in Los Angeles struggled to fight wildfires due to a shortage of freshwater. Skilled pilots in Super Scoopers planes collected seawater and dumped it on the fires with precision. While using seawater may seem like a quick solution, it can harm ecosystems and damage firefighting equipment.
Research on coastal forests exposed to salty water from sea-level rise shows that prolonged exposure can harm trees and change soil composition. In a study called TEMPEST, scientists saw trees react negatively to salty water over time.
Sea-level rise is a growing concern globally, causing more saltwater exposure in coastal areas. While seawater can help fight fires, freshwater sources are preferred when available to avoid potential risks.
By Patrick Megonigal, Associate Director of Research, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution
This article was originally published on The Conversation and is shared under a Creative Commons license.
Vocabulary List:
- Wildfires /ˈwaɪldˌfaɪərz/ (noun): Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation.
- Freshwater /ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtər/ (noun): Water that is not salty commonly found in rivers and lakes.
- Ecosystems /ˌiː.kəˈsɪs.təmz/ (noun): Communities of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.
- Prolonged /prəˈlɔːŋd/ (adjective): Extended in duration; lasting longer than usual.
- Composition /ˌkɒm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ (noun): The nature of something’s ingredients or constituents; a mixture.
- Exposure /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/ (noun): The state of being subjected to something such as environmental conditions.
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