Rare earth elements as tracers: A study on post-wildfire effects in soil by neutron activation analysis

This study investigated using rare earth elements as tracers to study wildfire impacts. The study area was Antalya, located in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye. This region is known for the frequent occurrence of wildfires, which cause significant damage to the flora and fauna of the area. A series of wildfires occurred in the region in 2016. Soil samples were collected from the affected areas to understand these wildfires' impact better. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to analyze the samples. The study found that the north-facing aspect had higher concentrations of rare earth elements. This could be because north-facing aspects are cooler and more humid, with less erosion, leading to better ecological restoration and less transportation of rare earth elements.