Road salt has been demonstrated to adversely impact the watershed in which it is deployed by increasing salinity of aquatic environments (lakes and streams). This increase in density leads to stabilization of stratification in the affected water column. Drastic changes to the cycling and diffusion of nutrients in water at different depths leads to eutrophication (too many nutrients) and harmful algal blooms, as well as anoxia (no oxygen) throughout the bottom of the lake. The environmental and economic impact of these adverse effects are extraordinary. There exists no effective solution to slippery winter roads other than the use of road salt. By removing road salt programs, thousands more would die each winter in car accidents and serious declines in productivity would result during periods of heavy snowfall.


Solutions?