INFLUENCE OF ROAD SALTING ON THE NUTRIENT AND HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN STREAM WATER

This study evaluated the influence of road salt on levels of nutrients, heavy metals, and sediment in streams as modified by topography. As a result of an extremely low snow pack, salt inputs and stream discharge were low. This reduced losses of nutrients and salt from the below road areas; however, the losses which did occur were strongly linked to the road salting practice. All study areas showed an accumulation of road salt because of the low discharge. The addition of massive quantities of sodium caused the release of other cations and significantly altered soil structure. The breakdown of soil structure appeared to be the major reason for large losses of sediment and heavy metals from the below road areas. Steep slopes and a large road area to below road area ratio appear most influential in altering in water quality.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared in cooperation with New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque. Dept. of Biology.
• Corporate Authors:

  New Mexico State University, University Park

  Water Resources Research Institute
  University Park, NM  United States  88003

  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

  Department of Biology
  Albuquerque, NM  United States  87131

  Department of the Interior

  Office of Water Research and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States  20242
• Authors:
  • Gosz, J R
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 45 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcium; Chlorine; Concentration (Chemistry); Deicers (Equipment); Deicing chemicals; Evaluation; Forests; Inorganic salts; Ion exchange; Losses; Magnesium; Metals; Potassium; Precipitation (Meteorology); Roads; Sediments; Slopes; Snow removal; Sodium; Soil structure; Streams; Sulfates; Surface drainage; Water pollution; Water quality; Watersheds
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deicers
• Geographic Terms: New Mexico
• Old TRIS Terms: Discharge; Highway drainage; Ion exchanging; Nutrient content; Sediment concentration; Slope value; Stream pollution
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175790
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: WRRI-093, OWRT-A-057-NMEX(1)
• Contract Numbers: DI-14-34-0001-7066
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 28 1978 12:00AM