Using polyacrylamide to mitigate post-fire soil erosion

Abstract

One of the consequences of wildfires is the modification of the hydrology of the affected area, usually resulting in increased overland flow and soil erosion. In this work, we tested granular anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) to reduce post-fire soil erosion, and the mechanisms by which this polymer modifies infiltration rate (IR), runoff and soil loss. Two contrasting soils affected by fire were exposed to three consecutive simulated rainstorms separated by drying periods. During the 1st rainstorm, PAM decreased IR and increased runoff in both soils while soil loss was reduced compared to the untreated controls. In the following storms, the reduction in soil loss persisted, but the effect of PAM..