EFFECTS OF CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ACETATE ON SMALL LENTIC ENVIRONMENTS IN INTERIOR ALASKA. FINAL REPORT

Separate environmental studies of the effect of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) on the natural environment are warranted for Alaska due to its extreme climatic conditions. Because of the absence of major thaws during the winter in most of Alaska, the deicer would move in higher concentrations at less frequent intervals, instead of impacting the environment in small concentrations at frequent intervals as in the contiguous U.S. Mechanical snow removal pushes snow to the side of the road throughout the winter, forming a ridge of snow, ice and deicer. Before melt, therefore, high concentrations of salts and residue might accumulate immediately adjacent to the road. Since there is usually one big melt event in the spring, the dilution factor might be so great for spring runoff into streams that impacts could minimal. Of concern, however, is the accumulation of the deicer into small roadside ponds at snowmelt. CMA might cause changes of ionic strength in the water, affecting aquatic plants and animals. CALTRANS reports a significant decrease in algal growth when exposed to various CMA concentrations. This study examines the response of small ponds to various concentrations of Alaska-made CMA by comparing treated and untreated (control) ponds for the following variables: (1) major cations within the water column; (2) important nutrients in the water column; (3) colonization of benthic algae onto substrates; (4) standing crop of planktonic algae; (5) standing crop of planktonic bacteria; (6) dissolved oxygen levels; and (7) dominant phytoplankton and zooplankton.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/research/assets/pdf/ak_rd_87_19.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14693
• Corporate Authors:

  Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

  2301 Peger Road
  Fairbanks, AK  United States  99701
• Authors:
  • Rea, C L
  • LaPerriere, J D
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Pagination: 67 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Algae; Aquatic life; Bacteria; Calcium magnesium acetate; Cations; Deicing equipment; Environmental impacts; Oxygen content; Ponding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deicers; Ponds
• Geographic Terms: Alaska
• Old TRIS Terms: Nutrient content
• Subject Areas: Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00488229
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
• Report/Paper Numbers: AK-RD-87-19
• Files: NTL, TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM