Winter's beauty often comes with a hidden environmental cost. As snow melts, the salt used on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks washes directly into our local streams, sometimes briefly raising their salt content to levels as high as the ocean. This surge of salinity can have significant consequences for aquatic life and the health of our waterways, while also having an adverse impact on roads and bridges. However, it can be hard to correlate the affects of excess road salt use, which is why it is crucial to collect data on the amount salt in freshwater streams during the colder season. That information can help in development of effective solutions. According to Dr. John Jackson of the Stroud Water Research Center, the amount of salt in our local waterways has dramatically increased over the past few decades, thanks in large part to the growing use of road salt during winter. In addition to environmental issues, road salt also accelerates the breakdown of concrete on roads and bridges. In addition to degrading transportation infrastructure, higher salt levels can negatively affect freshwater fish, amphibians, and macroinvertebrates, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Aquatic and stream-side plants, along with vegetation along roads and driveways, can also suffer, especially with long-term salt accumulation in the soil. Monitoring Salt Levels in Cumberland County: The Delaware Bayshore office of the American Littoral Society actively monitors select streams in Cumberland County, NJ. Using two continuously operating water sensors, we track specific conductance (an indicator of salt content) every five minutes, 24/7, 365 days a year. This real-time data, combined with information gathered through our Restoration Corps (R-Corps) summer program, provides a comprehensive picture of stream health in our region. This data helps us identify overall trends and implement mitigation strategies, such as installing Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), which can include rain gardens, bioswales, and other tools. A Case Study: Indian Field Branch: The graph below illustrates the impact of a 2022 snowstorm on the salt content of Indian Field Branch, a stream near the Alms Center in Bridgeton. The initial small increase in conductivity corresponds to the day after the storm, when temperatures remained below freezing, limiting snow melt. The significant jump occurred the following day, when temperatures rose above freezing, releasing the bulk of the salt runoff. ![]() The graph then shows a gradual increase in salt content during the daytime hours as the snow slowly melted throughout the week, followed by decreases at night when temperatures dropped and slowed the melting process. NJ Salt Watch and Citizen Science: In 2021, our R-Corps crew leaders participated in NJ Salt Watch, a volunteer program that monitors salt levels in local waterways. They surveyed five sites in Bridgeton and Vineland, finding relatively low salt levels due to their location near lightly salted back roads. This year, our AmeriCorps crew leader will restart our participation in the program to track any changes. You can find the collected data on this interactive map. What You Can Do: Individuals can make a difference by shoveling snow instead of using salt whenever possible. Alternatives like gravel, sand, cat litter, straw, or wood chips can increase traction on walkways without the environmental impact of salt. Strategic application, focusing on high-traffic areas and avoiding over-application, is also crucial. Liquid brine and beet juice are other options for individuals and municipalities, offering lower overall salt content. Get Involved: Winter Salt Week: Join us for Winter Salt Week (January 27-31)! NJ Salt Watch will host a series of webinars on this important issue. Learn more about the impact of road salt and how you can get involved in protecting our local waterways. Register for the 2024-2025 Winter Season.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2025
Categories
All
|