Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumFirst Came the Snow Bomb, Now Comes the Salt Bomb
Pervasive winter de-icing of Americas roadways is destroying infrastructure and potentially harming your water.After the snow from last weeks bomb cyclone melts, cities and towns across the northeast will find their roads and sidewalks still a ghostly white.
That fine white powder is salt, Americas favorite de-icing chemical. More than 15 million tons of the stuff is applied annually, only to wash away with snowmelt or spring rains. But just because its gone from your block doesnt mean its gone for good. In fact, it may end up in your faucet.
Road salt is an influential part of a decades-long chemistry experiment local governments have unwittingly conducted on soil, waterways and infrastructure. Studying river data nationwide, research published Monday explains that 37 percent of all U.S. river systems have greater salinity, and 90 percent have seen a decrease in acidity, compared with a century ago. The two trends are related, scientists conclude, as urbanization and widespread use of chemicals such as road salt do serious damage.
Why is less acid bad? Heres how nature usually works. Raindrops absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, turning them slightly acidic. Its the same reaction that makes drinking a lot of seltzer potentially bad for your teeth. When that rain hits the ground, specifically rock and soil, the acid frees up ions from mineral saltsand washes such things as magnesium and calcium into rivers and out to sea, a process that scientists call weathering.
Much more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-08/first-came-the-snow-bomb-now-comes-the-salt-bomb
Road salt is loaded into a truck in the Boston suburb of Chelsea, Mass. on Jan. 3. Photographer: Bill Sikes/AP Photo
Blues Heron
(5,939 posts)Now we have an almost zero tolerance policy for snowy roads. 1/4 inch of snow = 1/2 inch of salt seems to be the going ratio these days.
Rhiannon12866
(205,927 posts)I mentioned this to my cousin in Colorado, where they also get a lot of snow, and he didn't know what I was talking about.
Blues Heron
(5,939 posts)I almost wiped out walking on a sidewalk going down a hill there was so much salt laid down. More is better is the operative mindset these days.
Nobody wants to be sued I guess is the bottom line.
Rhiannon12866
(205,927 posts)And it has been especially bad this year - I'm heartbroken that my Pontiac wouldn't pass inspection this time around and all because of rust. When the temperature allows, I get it washed, but it's hit 20 below several times already this winter, record lows all over.
mopinko
(70,202 posts)never had a car that didnt rust out.
i once had an old 240z. it rusted out so bad the frame came apart.
mopinko
(70,202 posts)i use the pet friendly stuff on my walks, not just for the pets on the block, but in hopes it is better for my soils. i dont know, tho.
Massacure
(7,526 posts)Some counties and municipalities in Wisconsin mix cheese brine with their salt.