Search research articles

Related Concept Videos

Toxic Reactions: Overview

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

Types of Toxins

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Current Developments in Soil Ecotoxicology.

Toxics·2024

See all related articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Published on: July 4, 2014

Potentially Toxic Substances and Associated Risks in Soils Affected by Wildfires: A Review.

Maria Luisa Fernandez-Marcos^1,2

¹Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain.

|January 20, 2022

Summary

Wildfires release toxic substances that degrade soil quality and harm organisms. Charcoal may offer a detoxifying effect, mitigating these negative impacts on soil and water ecosystems.

Keywords:

PAH ash charcoal fire heavy metals pyrogenic compounds pyrogenic organic matter soil ecotoxicity soil pollution soil quality trace elements

More Related Videos

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Published on: November 28, 2014

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Published on: May 15, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Published on: July 4, 2014

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

Published on: November 28, 2014

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Published on: May 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Soil Science
Ecotoxicology

Background:

Wildfires significantly alter soil quality through chemical, physical, and biological changes.
These fires generate toxic substances, posing risks to soil and aquatic ecosystems.
Understanding these impacts is crucial for environmental management and remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on toxic substance generation by wildfires.
To assess the effects of these substances on soil organisms and associated risks.
To explore the role of charcoal in mitigating fire-induced soil contamination.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on wildfire impacts on soil.
Analysis of research on metal mobilization and pyrolytic compound production.
Examination of studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic pollutants.
Evaluation of the detoxifying effects of charcoal.

Main Results:

Wildfire ash exhibits inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth.
Fire mobilizes heavy metals and trace elements, increasing their risk of water contamination.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic pollutants are generated, posing risks to organisms and water bodies.
Charcoal shows potential for detoxifying fire-affected soils.

Conclusions:

Wildfires pose significant risks to soil and water quality due to toxic substance generation.
Heavy metals, PAHs, and other pollutants require careful monitoring and management post-fire.
Charcoal presents a promising natural remediation strategy for wildfire-affected soils.