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Effects of road deicing salt on chloride levels in four adirondack streams

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Abstract

A 2 yr study was conducted in 1987 and 1988 to determine the effects of road salt run-off from New York State highway 28N on chloride levels in four tributary streams to Rich Lake, located in the central Adirondack Mountains of New York. All four study streams exhibited significant increases in chloride concentrations at sampling stations located 50 and 100 m downstream from the highway. Chloride concentrations in downstream samples were as much as 31 times higher than comparative upstream samples. Elevated chloride levels continued throughout the 6 mo period following the termination of winter salt applications. A water chemistry profile developed for Rich Lake revealed a slight increase in chloride content at lower depths.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Adirondack Ecological Center, State University of New York, 12852, Newcomb, NY, USA

    Charlotte L. Demers & Richard W. Sage Jr.

Authors
  1. Charlotte L. Demers
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  2. Richard W. Sage Jr.
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Demers, C.L., Sage, R.W. Effects of road deicing salt on chloride levels in four adirondack streams. Water Air Soil Pollut 49, 369–373 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00507076

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00507076

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