Welcome to Globe Climate, where we explore the pressing issues surrounding climate change in Canada.
This week, we’re diving into a briny problem: the salt used to keep our roads safe in winter. It’s causing real harm to our water systems and the environment. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of this salt and why solutions like desalination are still out of reach.
Winter roads are essential for safe travel, but the practices we use can come with serious consequences. Cities like Calgary are grappling with aging infrastructure. For instance, the Bearspaw South Feeder Main was expected to last 100 years but showed signs of wear after just 50 years due to corrosion from road salt. Salt, primarily sodium chloride, is vital for winter safety, but it’s having detrimental effects on our water systems.
Every year, Canada uses about seven million tonnes of salt on roads—that’s enough to fill a line of dump trucks from Vancouver to Toronto! According to a 2020 study from Norway, Canada leads the world in salt usage per kilometer of road.
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment suggests that chloride levels in water should not exceed 120 milligrams per liter to keep aquatic life healthy. However, in many urban waterways, levels can exceed 1,200 mg/L. This poses a significant risk to sensitive species, particularly zooplankton, which play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems.
Dr. Shelley Arnott, a professor at Queen’s University focused on aquatic ecology, warns about the long-term consequences: “Is that where we want to go—lakes full of algae and lacking diversity?” Her research shows that harmful impacts can begin at much lower chloride levels than the current guidelines allow.
Interestingly, some road authorities are exploring alternatives like coffee grounds and cheese brine. However, these alternatives may not be any less harmful. For example, Arnott has found that some of these products can actually increase toxicity compared to traditional salt.
The persistent issue of salt accumulation in the environment remains concerning. In Lake Simcoe, chloride levels have risen by approximately 0.7 mg/L annually since the 1970s, despite various reduction efforts.
Joe Salemi, the executive director of Landscape Ontario, describes this as a “wicked problem” with no easy fixes. He advocates for increased public education but acknowledges the challenges ahead. “The outlook for reducing road salt is bleak,” he notes.
As Canada confronts this challenge, it’s clear we need broader strategies for managing road safety without risking our water systems. Recent trends on social media reflect growing public concern for sustainable practices, with discussions around the effects of road salt becoming more common.
In the bigger picture, better management of road salt could save both our infrastructure and aquatic environments. Solutions will require collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and the public. As we move forward, finding a balance will be crucial for safeguarding both our roads and our natural resources.
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