Kiera Jefferson
Road salt is an effective deicer, but it also has damaging environmental and health consequences. As snow and ice melt on roads, the salt washes into soil, lakes, and streams, contaminating drinking water and endangering wildlife. The environmental toll and long-term costs of rock salt have inspired some states to search for alternative management practices, such as upgrading equipment to monitor the amount of salt applied, using liquid brine, or exploring new technologies like porous pavement. While no perfect solution exists to keep roads clear in winter, various tools and practices can help clear roads in an environmentally conscious manner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of alternative de-icing chemicals | Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) are considered safer for the environment than sodium chloride (NaCl) |
| Upgrading equipment | Using "closed-loop systems" to accurately release and monitor the amount of salt applied |
| Lowering speed limits | Implementing lower speed limits during snow/ice events |
| Use of snow tires | Making the use of snow tires mandatory during winter |
| Liquid brine | Replacing traditional road salt with liquid salt brine, which can be spread more evenly and efficiently and works at lower temperatures |
| Porous pavement | Using porous or permeable pavement to reduce runoff from roads and prevent ice formation |
| Green infrastructure | Using green street planters, rain gardens, and wetlands to absorb and filter pollutants, including road salt |
| Reducing salt use | Minimizing the use of salt to only the minimum amount necessary |
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![The current status of research on water and salt solutions / by Robert L. Kay for [the] Office of Saline Water. 1971 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- Use alternative de-icers like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride
- Reduce the amount of salt spread with new technologies like closed loop systems
- Minimise the use of products and chemicals that get washed away by rain and snow
- Use liquid salt brine instead of traditional road salt
- Explore innovations that limit the amount of rock salt needed, like porous pavement
Use alternative de-icers like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride
While rock salt is an effective de-icer, it poses a significant threat to both the environment and human health. It is, therefore, necessary to use alternative de-icers such as magnesium chloride or calcium chloride.
Magnesium chloride is an increasingly popular choice due to its environmental friendliness. It is fast-acting, melting ice before it forms, and leaves little residue. It is also non-irritating to the skin and will not harm surrounding plant life and animals. However, it is more expensive than traditional rock salt and may be difficult to source. In addition, it has been known to cause power pole fires when it dries and is ground into dust by vehicle traffic.
Calcium chloride is another effective alternative to rock salt. It is renowned for its ability to generate heat and melt ice at extremely low temperatures, even as low as -25°F. It can penetrate ice and tightly packed snow at three times the rate of other products. It is safer for the environment than rock salt, but it is also more expensive. Calcium chloride has a higher concentration than magnesium chloride, which enhances its efficiency and results in significant savings in labour and product costs.
Both calcium and magnesium chloride contain less chloride than some other ice-melting alternatives, but they will still cause some corrosion to concrete and metals. Calcium chloride, in particular, is known to have a higher environmental impact due to its chloride content, which can contribute to soil and water pollution.
A blend of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and rock salt is another alternative de-icer. CMA is made from dolomitic lime and acetic acid and is usually applied in pellet form. It is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and non-corrosive, with little to no toxic effects on aquatic species. However, it may be more expensive than traditional chloride-based de-icers, and it works more slowly.
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Reduce the amount of salt spread with new technologies like closed loop systems
The use of road salt for de-icing has exponentially increased over the years, with about 20 million tons of salt scattered on US roads annually. This has led to various problems for water quality and water-related infrastructure. To combat this, new technologies like closed-loop systems can be employed to reduce the amount of salt spread on roads.
Closed-loop systems are one such innovation that can help limit the environmental impact of road salt. These systems allow operators to accurately release and monitor the exact amount of salt applied. This technology ensures that only the required amount of salt is used, thus reducing the environmental hazards associated with excess salt usage.
Upgrading equipment with closed-loop systems can significantly reduce the amount of salt spread on roads. For example, the state of Massachusetts alone uses nearly half a million tons of road salt annually for winter road maintenance. By adopting closed-loop systems, they can effectively control the amount of salt used, reducing environmental damage and costs associated with over-salting.
In addition to closed-loop systems, other innovative solutions are being explored to limit the amount of road salt needed. For instance, porous pavement is being engineered to reduce runoff from roads, which can decrease snow and ice cover. This type of pavement allows standing water to seep through, preventing water from going through freeze-thaw periods and thus inhibiting ice formation on roads.
By implementing closed-loop systems and exploring other innovative solutions, we can effectively reduce the amount of salt spread on roads and mitigate the environmental and infrastructure issues caused by road salt pollution. These advancements allow for a tailored approach to clearing roads in an environmentally conscious manner, ensuring safer roads without compromising the health of our ecosystems.
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Minimise the use of products and chemicals that get washed away by rain and snow
The use of road salt and de-icing chemicals has increased exponentially over the years. This has caused various problems for water quality and water-related infrastructure. To minimise the use of products and chemicals that get washed away by rain and snow, individuals, businesses, and governments can take several measures.
For individuals and businesses, it is best to use none or only the minimum amount of salt needed on sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas. Throwing more salt down will not speed up the melting process. It is also important to shovel away the remaining salt once the ice melts, as it can get washed away and pollute nearby water bodies. If possible, safer alternatives to pure chloride salts, such as sand or gravel, can be used. However, even these alternatives can be harmful to stream health and may need to be shovelled away after use.
For governments, upgrading equipment and technology can help reduce the environmental impact of road salt. For example, using only "closed-loop systems" allows operators to accurately release and monitor the exact amount of salt applied. This can help lower the amount of salt used and reduce environmental hazards. Additionally, implementing mandatory speed limits during snow/ice events and requiring the use of snow tires during winter can help keep roads clear without increasing the use of road salt.
Innovative solutions, such as porous pavement, are also being explored to reduce the amount of runoff from roads and prevent ice formation. Porous or permeable pavement allows standing water to seep through, removing water that would otherwise go through freeze-thaw periods. This technology has been found to reduce snow and ice cover and decrease the amount of salt needed for maintenance.
Overall, by minimising the use of road salt and de-icing chemicals, and exploring alternative methods and technologies, we can reduce the impact of these products on the environment and water quality.
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Use liquid salt brine instead of traditional road salt
Rock salt, also known as road salt, is made up of sodium chloride, similar to table salt. It is an effective deicer as it lowers the freezing point of water. However, it needs to absorb moisture from the air or snow to form a brine and start melting ice. This can be time-consuming, especially in dry winter conditions.
Liquid salt brine, on the other hand, is a mixture of rock salt and water, and it can be used before snowfall to prevent ice from bonding to road surfaces. This method is called anti-icing or pre-wetting. Brine can be applied to roads using trucks with holding tanks and sprayers. It is more effective than rock salt as it starts working immediately and can also be used in lower temperatures.
Using liquid salt brine instead of rock salt has several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the amount of salt needed to melt snow and ice, which helps to minimise the environmental impact on local water sources and ecosystems. Secondly, brine can be spread more evenly and efficiently, reducing the amount of material required and the associated costs. For example, treating a one-mile, four-lane stretch of road with rock salt costs more than double the cost of using brine.
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when using liquid salt brine. Firstly, it is less effective at lower temperatures compared to rock salt. Secondly, brine can cause rust damage to vehicles if not washed off properly after driving on treated roads. Vehicle owners can take preventative measures, such as frequent washing, using specialised wash solutions, and limiting driving during and after winter storms when de-icing solutions are applied.
Overall, using liquid salt brine instead of traditional road salt is a more proactive and cost-effective approach to road safety, but it requires careful application and public awareness to minimise potential vehicle damage.
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Explore innovations that limit the amount of rock salt needed, like porous pavement
The environmental and health impacts of road salt pollution have spurred innovations aimed at reducing the amount of rock salt needed for de-icing. One such innovation is the use of porous pavement.
Porous or permeable pavement is designed to allow standing water to seep through, reducing the amount of water on roads that would typically undergo freeze-thaw cycles and lead to ice formation. This technology has been found to significantly reduce snow and ice cover, thereby lowering the need for road salting. A recent study revealed that porous pavement resulted in three times less snow and ice cover compared to regular pavement, leading to a 77% reduction in annual salt use for maintenance.
Porous pavement works by allowing water to pass through the pavement surface, preventing it from pooling on the road. This helps to address the issue of water runoff, which can carry de-icing chemicals and contaminate nearby rivers, streams, and groundwater sources. By reducing the amount of water on roads, porous pavement not only mitigates the need for salting but also helps to alleviate the environmental and infrastructure issues caused by water runoff.
In addition to porous pavement, other innovative solutions are being explored to limit the amount of rock salt required. One example is the use of salt brine, which can reduce the amount of salt on roadways by up to 70%. Salt brine is a solution of water and salt that can be spread more evenly and efficiently, immediately beginning the de-icing process. However, brine is less effective at lower temperatures, limiting its applicability in extremely cold climates.
Solar roads are another emerging technology that could eliminate the need for road salt altogether. These roads are made of engineered solar panels that can generate renewable energy and melt ice or snow through heating elements embedded in the road. While solar roads show promise, they are still in the early stages of development and face challenges such as cost and durability.
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Frequently asked questions
Road salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is an effective deicer that prevents the formation of ice on roads. However, it has various negative impacts on the environment. It can contaminate drinking water, kill or endanger wildlife, increase soil erosion, damage public and private property, and harm water-related infrastructure.
To reduce the environmental impact of road salt, it is recommended to minimise its use and opt for less harmful alternatives. Upgrading equipment to "closed-loop systems" helps regulate the amount of salt used. Using liquid salt brine instead of traditional road salt can reduce salt usage by up to 70%. Additionally, porous pavement can reduce runoff and prevent ice formation on roads.
Some alternatives to road salt include magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). While these alternatives are safer for the environment, they require a larger quantity to be effective, making them more expensive.
