Effects of road deicing salt on the levels of ions in roadside soils in southern Ontario

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Environ. Manage.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5758537

Hofstra, G; Smith, D W

Mineral soil, litter and live vegetation along a four-lane highway were analyzed for sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in April, August, and November. Concentrations of Na and Cl showed several-fold increases over background levels in all three components. The levels of Na and Cl were high 10 m from the roadway but decreased to background levels at a distance of 30 m. Sodium and Cl accumulated in lower lying areas in the median. Also, Cl showed lateral movement away from the roadside. Levels of Cl in the soil decreased much more over the growing season than Na levels. Twenty years after highway construction, Na and Cl levels had increased to high levels in the median and within 30 m of the pavement. Potential effects on the availability of soil Ca and Mg were evident, with lower levels of these ions in the presence of high concentrations of Na. 5 references, 7 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Guelph, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5758537
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Manage.; (United States), Vol. 19:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CALCIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
CHLORINE
MAGNESIUM
POTASSIUM
SODIUM
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ICE
ONTARIO
PLANTS
ROADS
SALINITY
SNOW
SOILS
SOLID WASTES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CANADA
ELEMENTS
HALOGENS
METALS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
WASTES
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)