𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛: USC Researchers Test Coastal Microbes After Palisades Fire

Описание: SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On the morning of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, graduate students from the University of Southern California (USC) were seen collecting ocean water samples from the Santa Monica Pier as part of a field study investigating how marine microorganisms have been affected by the recent wildfire runoff into the Pacific.

Using a bucket and rope, the students retrieved water from just below the surface. “Hi, my name is Mia. I'm here with Bradley and my lab partner Kelsey,” Mia explained. “We're here to look at marine microorganisms and their response to the fires and the subsequent rainfalls that L.A. has been experiencing.”

The team’s research directly connects to the environmental aftermath of the Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, amid severe drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The wildfire scorched 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and forced the evacuation of over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas. Twelve people lost their lives in the blaze, which was fully contained on January 31 after weeks of intense firefighting.

Now, with heavy winter rains having followed the fire, scientists are studying how ash, debris, and nutrient-rich runoff may be altering coastal microbial ecosystems.

“We just collected our water samples,” Mia added. “We’ll take them back to the lab to filter and analyze for any microbial shifts.”
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Reporting by Santa Monica Closeup. Stay tuned for continued coverage of post-fire recovery and environmental impact research.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱.

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Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica, is the creator of Santa Monica Closeup. With experience across various news outlets, he captures the city's vibrant life through compelling imagery and storytelling. His work, showcased in museums, galleries, and public spaces, highlights Santa Monica’s landscapes, culture, and diverse community

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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography, SMCU, SM©U