Wildfires and Flash Floods: Using Exposure Science to Identify Rural Arizona Mining Communities at Risk from the Release and Remobilization of Contaminants

项目摘要 气候变化造成的复合事件，再加上资源开采和社会 司法正在加剧现有的脆弱性，并创造新的脆弱性。电讯报- 2021年亚利桑那州吉拉县的梅斯卡尔大火烧毁了180,757英亩土地，37%的土壤被烧毁 严重程度为中度至高度。这些火灾发生在一个拥有13种不同资源的地区， 采矿活动，包括三个铜矿。火灾发生后不久，该地区 雨季降雨量超过14英寸该地区的大部分矿山废料都是非- 康复后，他们容易机械分散，这可能会增加他们的流动性， 生物利用度被野火烧毁的地区容易发生山洪暴发， 迈阿密镇和地球仪市受到严重影响。火灾事件能够改变 土壤和表层物质的物理、化学和地球化学性质， 和（再）移动金属（类）和放射性物质，并产生多环芳烃 碳氢化合物（PAH）可能会影响公众健康。超过3,000公吨的潜在 受污染的沉积物在迈阿密的公共道路和人行道上堆积， 报告说，12英寸的沉积物在他们的院子里，在某些情况下，进入他们的家园。 1999年12月10日之后，迈阿密/地球仪地区土壤和灰尘的有毒污染程度 火灾和洪水尚未评估。确定野火后的范围至关重要 泥石流和尾矿侵蚀，以及这些地质灾害是否 暴露途径的金属（类）s，放射性物质和多环芳烃在邻近的农村， 医疗服务不足，环境正义（EJ）社区。为此，我们将：（1）调查 家庭确定受影响的地区，并确定个人和社区一级 （2）通过赋权教育建设人的能力， 社区科学，（3）描述野火期间土壤中释放的污染物， 灰尘，和（4）使用以公平为中心的社区设计方法来报告所有调查结果，并提供 立即干预和预防战略。EJ社区指受影响的地区， 不成比例地暴露于环境危害，并增加了对这些危害的脆弱性。 所描述的复合事件对这些农村社区产生了重大影响， 周围是活跃/遗留的矿山和冶炼厂，进一步加剧了可能的 暴露于污染物，增加其风险，并利用结构不平等和 这些地区的环境卫生差距。

PROJECT SUMMARY Compound events due to climate change, combined with resource extraction and social justice are exacerbating exiting vulnerabilities and creating new ones. The Telegraph- Mescal fires in Gila County, Arizona in 2021 consumed 180,757 acres and 37% of the soil burn severity was moderate to high. These fires occurred in a region with 13 different resource extraction activities, including three copper mines. Shortly after the fires, the area had a record monsoon season, with over 14 inches of rainfall. Most of the mine waste in the area are un- rehabilitated, leaving them prone to mechanical dispersion, which may increase their mobility and bioavailability. Areas that have been burned by wildfires are susceptible to flash flooding and the Town of Miami and City of Globe were severely impacted. Fire events are able to alter the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical properties of the soil and surface materials and release and (re)mobilize metal(loid)s and radioactive materials, and produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can impact public health. Over 3,000 metric tons of potentially contaminated sediment accumulated on public roads and sidewalks in Miami and some residents reported that 12 inches of sediment settled in their yards and in some cases, entered their homes. The extent of toxic contamination of the soil and dust in the Miami/Globe areas after the fire and flooding have not been assessed. It is critical to determine the extent of post-wildfire debris flows and erosion from mine tailings and whether these geohazards are presenting exposure pathways to metal(loid)s, radioactive materials, and PAHs in neighboring rural, medically underserved, environmental justice (EJ) communities. To do this, we will: (1) survey families to identify the impacted areas and determine individual- and community-level vulnerabilities and resiliencies, (2) build human capacity through empowerment education and community science, (3) characterize contaminants released during wildfires in soil and settled dust, and (4) use an equity-centered community design approach to report all findings and provide immediate intervention and prevention strategies. EJ communities refers to areas affected by disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and increased vulnerability to those hazards. The compound event described has significantly impacted these rural communities that are surrounded by active/legacy mines and smelter operations, further exacerbating the possible exposure to contaminants, increasing their risk, and exploiting the structural inequalities and environmental health disparities in these areas.