Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Impact of Road Salt
on the Environment
Presented By:
Steve Vernik –
VP and Director of Operations
Gaia Enterprieses, Inc.
Critical Area Ice Management at Nuclear Power Plant
@ 5 ft thick cement
From River and then Back
Salt burns paws, skin, eyes, mouths, noses.
The New Jersey Great
Swamp
• It is VITAL to protect and keep this area. Building on it, dumping on it, and harming it must be avoided!
The Great Lake PassaicThe Passaic RiverThe Watchung Mountains
The way the water flows
Benefits are a Habitat for Wildlife
Prevent Nutrient and Toxic Build up
•Marshes and swamps may be found together, and marshes may even represent a stage of succession from pond to marsh to swamp, to forest.
Fresh Water Marsh
The Great Swamp
The Many Mammals of the Great Swamp
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes
• The Swamp is home and a protective place for many different species of Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes. Some species are endangered.
So Many Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes
GORGEOUS BIRDS!
Incredible Diversity
And So Many More
Why is the swamp’s health deteriorating?
Time to study the patient.
Salt from Ice Melt
• Road Salt main product used - 60% chloride Ion (Cl-) 40% positive ion (Na+, Mg+, Ca+, K+)
• NaCl most common form used
• ● 10 - 15 millions tons/ yr in US
• ● Most applied to NE and Midwest states (¾ in NY, OH, MI, IL, PA, and WI)
• Run off to surface water @ ~55%
• Percolation to Grounwater @ ~45%
• Snowmelt run off can be >10,000 mg/L of CL-
Road Salt is NO Joke – It’s permanent!
• Road Salt main product used - 60% chloride Ion (Cl-) 40% positive ion (Na+, Mg+, Ca+, K+)
• NaCl most common form used
• ● 10 - 15 millions tons/ yr in US
• ● Most applied to NE and Midwest states (¾ in NY, OH, MI, IL, PA, and WI)
• Run off to surface water @ ~55%
• Percolation to Grounwater @ ~45%
• Snowmelt run off can be >10,000 mg/L of CL-
• Ocean water has a Salinity of 35,0000 mg/l• Fresh Water classified by USGS at <1,000 mg/L• 250 mg/L Chloride = USEPA regulation for human
consumption• 1 tsp in 5 gallons of water = 280 mg/L
•At concentrations of 220-240 mg/L –10% of species could die after 30 days •Affects throughout the food chain –Algae •Critical level: 12 mg/L –Invertebrates •Diversity decreases as salinity increases –Fish •Trout: affects observed around 250 mg/L; 6743 mg/L = 50% mortality in 30 days
Animals are drawn to roads to eat on tasty but toxic salt
•Mammals –Moose and Deer Drinking salty water makes them lose fear of vehicles and humans –Birds
•Seed-eating birds may not be able to distinguish between seed and salt particle
•Sparrow study: Behavioral abnormalities from ingesting a single salt particle, death from ingesting just two
Salt kills roadside plants
• Salt kills natural plants, many some of the beautiful wild flowers of New Jersey
• Invasive salt resistant species are more like to grow there
• These invasive plants do not help sustain the natural environment
• They do not feed the critters that feed on them.
• Salt can spread hundreds of feet beyond the road side destroying soil
• Trees especially coniferous species suffer
Natural Ways of Determining Health
Diatoms, Zooplankton, BacteriaHelp Determine Health of Environment
Aerobic Bacteria is a Good Sign
Anaerobic is a Bad Sign
New Jersey’s Mussels can help Strengthen the Swamp
A Healthy Food Chain Means a Healthy Swamp
Black Ice is a Stealthy Killer Ninja Assassin
The Importance of Protecting Infrastructure
Flint Michigan Water Crisis Was Caused By High Chloride from Road Salt
SALT CAUSESEXPENSIVE CONCRETE AND
SURFACE DAMAGE
Different SaltsOf Different NamesDon’t be fooled
All Chlorides, Acetates, Sulfates are different Salts.
Salts Are Dangerous to environment, infrastructures, human, and animal life.
Mixes are dangerous –PPE &face masks are often neglected
Magnesium Chloride is one of the Most Toxic To Inhale
Different SaltsOf Different NamesDon’t be fooled
All Chlorides, Acetates, Sulfates are different Salts.
Salts Are Dangerous to environment, infrastructures, human, and animal life.
Responsibility IncludesProper Spread RatesProper StorageReducing Spillage
Good Principals
to Live By
•Often deicers are applied at rate higher than
manufacturer recommends –Train applicators –
Calibrate trucks by computer
•Use proper amount = Lower cost
•Spread according to label –Mechanically remove
ice/snow –Apply proper amount of deicer –Wait for
break-up
•Know temperature threshold of product you use
•Amount of ice a specific quantity of salt can melt
decreases as temperature decreases –At 30 oF,
2% salt concentration will melt ice –At 0 oF, 21%
salt concentration will melt ice
Anti-icing
We MUST be more mindful of how Salt gets into the Environment
Budget Issues
Although municipalities could use other substances to combat icing in the winter, the alternatives are "exceedingly more expensive" than salt.
For instance a ton of rock salt costs $60, while a ton of magnesium acetate sells for roughly $2,000.
It is time to reconsider the cost and the budget
• USEPA suggest that every $60-70 Ton of Salt has a long term cost of @ $1000.
• There are some costs that are priceless such as the life and death of environment and people.
OUR BEST SOLUTION
Not Only Are Our Products Safe For Nature But They Are Also Safe On New Concrete
Products are as Effective as they are SAFE
Our Product Traction Magic is Great for Traction
For Pedestrians for Traffic for Safety for All