When we visited the area after the fire, one of the most striking images was the sight of burnt homes on the coastline, slowly eroding into the ocean. Warnings about entering the water near the Palisades made us wonder: What exactly is happening to the ocean in the aftermath of these fires? This project aims to investigate the environmental effects of fire debris, particularly how it degrades over time in the ocean. Being that we were also directly harmed by the recent fires, we found interest in researching a topic so dentrimental to our community that has had such a everlasting impact and harm on us.
To understand the impact of fire debris, we first had to identify what materials are entering the ocean. Unlike in Maui, where homes were often built with more natural materials like lava rock and grasses, homes in the Palisades typically use wood, stone, brick, steel, and stucco. This information, gathered from local real estate data, will help us analyze how these materials break down in saltwater and what effects they may have on marine ecosystems.
Before proposing changes for future home construction, we looked into which materials degrade fastest and safest in ocean environments. One promising material is a new version of cellulose diacetate (CDA), a bioplastic. According to a study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, this foamed CDA degrades 15 times faster in seawater than its solid counterpart and even faster than paper. Using innovative materials like CDA could be key to reducing future ocean pollution from coastal wildfires.
As we considered the future of coastal rebuilding, taking precautions during debris removal is critical. Heal the Bay reports that, as of April 10—over three months after the fires—there remains a significant risk to human health within 250 yards of debris removal activity. Glass, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials may still be present in nearby waters, posing risks to both marine life and swimmers.
Another concern is the large amount of plastic waste entering the ocean, both from household items and construction materials. According to the National Ocean Service, plastic items such as food wrappers, bottles, and containers are among the most common types of trash found in the ocean. Plastic is particularly harmful because marine animals can mistake it for food or become entangled in it, often resulting in injury or death. Since plastic is widely used in home construction, this raises concerns about increased ocean pollution following the fires. Addressing plastic usage during rebuilding could significantly reduce future marine debris.
The degradation time of materials varies widely—wood or drywall may take a few years, but bricks and concrete can persist for millions. Like plastics, many of these materials are toxic to marine life, especially in their burned forms, and pose serious threats to aquatic ecosystems.
Heavy metals are among the most dangerous substances found in fire debris. According to Heal the Bay, elevated levels of beryllium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, silver, arsenic, and other harmful metals have been found in water samples following the fires. These metals can damage cells, disrupt biological functions, and accumulate through the food chain, affecting not only marine species but also humans who consume seafood. Each passing day without cleanup increases the ocean's toxic load.