Spreading salt on your driveway is an easy and quick way to avoid snow problems. There is increasing evidence that salt residue is accumulating in wetlands near highways and residential areas, causing long-term damage for wildlife and plant communities in wetlands as well as on dry ground.
We walk on and drive on it. It is one of the most pervasive contaminants found in northern latitudes, which we know relatively little about.
Depending on which type of road salt is used to melt the ice, the consequences could be very different. Road salt can stop the growth and survival of amphibians and fish, as well as the zooplankton, which is the basis for most aquatic life. It could also affect land animals that depend on salt-absorbing plants along the roadsides. It is also concerning to see an increase in salt levels in wetlands due to roads with high salt content. Too much salt in water can cause a profound change in the freshwater ecosystem, making it more acidic. Relyea says that salt makes it difficult for all living things to live in the water. Salt can also pose a risk to human health if it is found near roads or private water sources.
Although the ecosystem’s salt levels may not necessarily kill organisms, sublethal effects can affect the fitness and reproduction, leading to a drop in their numbers that eventually leads to their disappearance.
Those [sublethal impacts]Relyea, who has contributed to many scientific studies, believes that it is crucial for a population to survive or not. Publications
More information on the subject.
This problem is only going to get worse. Relyea claims that road salt has been applied three- to four times more in the United States since the 1970s. Other ResearchThe chloride concentrations in streams from New York, Maryland and New Hampshire have increased up to 25% in winter, and up 100 times in summer, compared to unaffected forest watersways.
Relyea says that in the last ten years, interest and discoveries have just exploded in numbers.
Ecosystem impacts
Salt has had a variety of impacts on wildlife. According to a ReviewRelyea published in collaboration avec a coauthor Freshwater Biology, the most affected organisms are those that form the base of aquatic ecosystemszooplankton. These creatures eat algae, and provide food for other organisms.
Other invertebrates, small fish, and other invertebrates can also be affected. Salt can kill zooplankton within days if it is present in sufficient concentrations. Once they are gone, entire wetland ecosystems may be destroyed. These tiny creatures have survived. Some ability to adaptYou can get higher saline concentrations in a matter months.
Relyea believes it’s encouraging that this may buy us some time to fix the problem.
However, other creatures are not as quick to adapt. Research by Relyeas has shown that high salt concentrations can cause adaptation problems in other animals. Stimulate the growth of rainbow TroutOther research has shown that road salt can delay the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Development of young woodfrogsThis is especially true when salt is introduced to waters already polluted by other sources. Nova Scotia’s study showed that woodfrogs and spotted saltamanders were the most common species. The most sensitive to sodium chlorideThe most common and affordable type of road sal. Researchers reported that these two species were not found in ponds with high salt levels.
It’s not only the wetlands that are at risk. Researchers found high levels of salt in milkweed, along with roads that were salt-treated in winter. Tests showedThis could impact the development of cabbage white and monarch butterflies. It can give the females larger eyes and make the males more agile. Although this may seem to be a temporary benefit, higher salt concentrations could kill butterflies and act as steroids.
Rising human pressure
These are just some examples. Water salinization isn’t limited to wildlife. Salt can seep into waterways, which can affect human health. One study from the Adirondack Mountains, Upstate New York, found that private drinking wells located closer to state roads or farther downhill from them had higher salt levels.
They found that some wells contained enough salt to exceed those of people who have restricted diets. This extra salt could even be causing heart problems, as people were not aware of it.
Relyea states that it is time to put these roads on a low-salt diet. She also said that even though steps have been taken to reduce salt use on roads, these materials will likely remain in these ecosystems for a while. Relyea states that even if we stop now, the salt will likely still be there for many years.
How can we solve the problem?
Alternatives such as beet juice or other chemicals containing salt are promoted as safer and more environmentally friendly than the sodium chloride commonly used. But beet pulp can also be used. Störung of the balance of nutrientsRelyea states that salt alternatives such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride can also cause problems in wetlands.
Relyea said that the two alternatives are not safer than each other. They either have the same effect as sodium chloride or are worse.
Relyea said that overcoming road salt is still relatively simple, especially when you consider the many problems that affect wildlife like habitat loss and climate change.
Relyea loves to point out that subtle changes to snowplows can improve their ability to remove ice. While most snow plows are made with flat blades, many roads have a slight curve that prevents water from pooling in the lanes during summer rains. Flat blades can often miss some ice and require salt treatment. Newer plows can be used live edge bladesThat
These subtle curves can be adapted to ensure that more snow and/or ice is removed from the pavement.
Relyea states that you are fitting the curve of the humpshaped road. Relyea says that although these plows are more expensive and require municipalities to replace old trucks, they ultimately save money.
Another solution is to ensure that road salt stockpiles are properly protected from the elements. New York City has a habit of pre-wetting the pavement with a salty brine a few hours before any snowfall is predicted. This makes snow removal easier and reduces the amount of salt required.
It is also possible to have contractors or municipalities calibrate your trucks more often. Many trucks are only calibrated to release salt flow once a calendar year. This could mean that trucks may be releasing more salt than they should. Checking the calibration more often can help cities and towns ensure that trucks are not overdosing the roads and surrounding environment.
Relyea states that New York’s towns have reduced their need for salt by around 30%. This is in addition to saving money and taking longer to remove snow.
Relyea states that it is a win-win situation for everyone. There is no real tradeoff.
He believes he is better Regulations are necessaryTo protect ecosystems from saltization and human health. Relyea suggests that salt should be used in moderation, rather than being too salty when you’re out clearing your driveway before heading to work.
A better job is not always possible. He says that snow melts once it is melted.
