Elevated concentrations of heavy metals have been detected at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve by scientists from San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories following a recent fire at Vistra Moss Landing Power Plant and Energy Storage Facility, one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage facilities.
As part of long-term monitoring at the slough, the scientists analyzed soil samples shortly after the Jan. 16 fire. The massive fire, which lasted several days, prompted evacuations and air quality concerns.
The university said Monday that field surveys, conducted within a radius of approximately two miles from the power plant, measured a dramatic increase in marsh soil surface concentration of three heavy metals: nickel, manganese and cobalt. This dramatic increase relates to both the shallow subsurface and the baseline measurements conducted in the area before the fire, according to the university.
Analysis revealed that the metals, found as nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 20 microns in size, are components of cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, linking their presence to airborne emissions from the fire. According to a university news release, these metals may chemically transform as they spread, potentially impacting ecosystems and food webs.
“Elkhorn Slough hosts a tremendous diversity of plant and animal life and has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and the American Birding Conservancy,” according to The Nature Conservancy.
The conservancy first purchased the wetlands for conservation in 1971, transferring 750 acres to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation in 2012 for continued management.
Researchers have much to learn from incident
Dr. Ivano Aiello, marine geology professor and department chair at MLML’s research team, said it was important to understand ecological risks associated with battery technology, given the growing need for large-scale energy storage. His team will continue monitoring affected soils and waterways.
“These findings and the research that follows are crucial not only to the impacted community but to the national and international community because of the need to store more power and thus build more and larger battery storage facilities,” said Dr. Aiello, who is a marine geology professor and department chair at MLML. “This is a new and fast-growing technology, and we must understand the ecological impacts in the event that accidents like this happen again.”
“This is a new and fast-growing technology, and we must understand the ecological impacts in the event that accidents like this happen again.”
Dr. Ivano Aiello, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories department chair
Assemblymember Dawn Addis D-Morro Bay, responded to the finding in a public statement Monday.
“I am alarmed and deeply concerned to hear the high concentrations of heavy metals have been identified within one of our most cherished and fragile ecosystems, Elkhorn Slough and its surrounding areas,” said Addis. “These concentrations are directly linked to the battery energy storage fire. This is why I stand firm in my call for independent investigations by the CPUC and expect all environmental data to be taken into consideration.”
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