The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas

Shenton, Mark; Nichols, Susan J.; Bray, Jonathan; Moulding, Benjamin J. G.; Kefford, Ben J.

doi:10.1007/s00244-021-00827-1

Cited by 13 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…These ions are generally toxic to freshwater species with their degree of toxicity depending on ion type and concentration. The potential negative effects of increased ionic concentration have been well-documented on zooplankton, microinvertebrates, macroinvertebrates, and fish. , These effects can range from disrupted metabolism and reduced reproduction rate to increased mortality …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deicing Road Salts May Contribute to Impairment of Streambeds through Alterations to Sedimentation Processes

Abolfazli

Strom

2021

ACS EST Water

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Deicing road salts have been increasingly used in the United States over the past 80 years. Previous studies have shown that these salts can have deteriorating effects on freshwater organisms. Here, we hypothesize that the introduction of road salts to streamwater can also boost aggregation of mud particles suspended in the water column. Such aggregation, also known as flocculation, enhances deposition rates and may lead to increased accumulation of fine sediment on streambeds, thereby contributing to the degradation of benthic ecosystems. In this laboratory study, we specifically investigate how road salts impact (1) the size distribution of mud aggregates in a turbulent water column and (2) the overall settling rate of the mud. The results showed that adding road salts to water samples collected from a stream in southwest Virginia, USA changed the distribution of suspended particle sizes. The addition of salt led to more of the mud existing in large flocs and an overall increase in average size by about 40%. As a result, the settling rate of the mud increased relative to the suspensions without salt. Our results suggest that potential negative effects of road salts on mud deposition should be investigated further.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deicing Road Salts May Contribute to Impairment of Streambeds through Alterations to Sedimentation Processes

Abolfazli

Strom

2021

ACS EST Water

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“…Gillis et al ( 2022 ) reported that the acute toxicity of road runoff collected from a bridge during the winter to mussel larvae in the laboratory was consistent with reduced wild mussel abundance in the river under that highway bridge. Shenton et al ( 2022 ) reported differences between the stream macroinvertebrate community composition in Australian sub-alpine habitats that receive salt inputs from road runoff and the areas that do not receive salt. They concluded that salt was responsible for the observed alterations in invertebrate communities as taxa such as Ephemeroptera that were less abundant where de-icing salts were used were the same taxa that exhibited salt sensitivity in laboratory tests.…”

Section: Special Issue Articlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Fate and Effects of Road Run-Off

Gillis

Parrott

Helm

2022

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

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“…However, very few studies relate URD composition values to specific seasons and conditions during them. Most studies evaluated the runoff toxicity on benthic organisms (Carrasco-Navarro et al 2022 ; Gillis et al 2022 ; Khanal et al 2019 ; Kunz et al 2022 ; Shenton et al 2022 ; Watanabe et al 2011 , Watanabe et al 2013 ). There are a few, mainly old, studies on road runoff water using bacteria and other pelagic species (Greenstein et al 2004 ; Kayhanian 2010 ; Kayhanian et al 2008 ; Schiff et al 2003 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal toxicity of urban road dust in runoff process-studies in Poland

Rybak,

Ziembik,

Wróbel

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Urban road dust (URD) is one of the most important non-point sources of pollution in agglomerations. The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal toxic effects of URD runoff in two regions of Poland. The concentrations of elements in URD and leachate were studied. The impact of pollutants in URD runoff on water organisms was evaluated using Daphtoxkit F and Rotoxkit F (LC50). The acute toxicity tests for crustaceans and rotifers were selected as the response of these taxa reflects the impact on zooplankton, a key component of aquatic ecosystem and the basis of most food webs. The concentrations of elements were found to vary depending on the site, although URD samples collected in Katowice agglomeration (Upper Silesia) had higher values of elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, As) compared to Wrocław (Lower Silesia). The concentrations of Mn, Zn, As, Cr, and Mg in water-soluble fraction of URD were higher in summer and winter in the Upper Silesia region due to rainwater runoff resulting from traffic, industries, post-industrial waste, and the presence of old heating systems. When comparing the content of elements in the water-soluble fraction between seasons, Zn, As, Cr, and Al concentrations were slightly higher in winter. The highest mortality of Daphnia magna and Brachiouns calyciflorus was observed in URD from both agglomerations in winter. However, the mortality is likely due to the concentration of elements or/and the coexistence of an unknown compound or a synergistic effect of the studied elements. This study highlights the alarming seasonal sources of elements in URD runoff, which will directly enter the food chain and affect the entire ecosystem, and human health.

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The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas

Cited by 13 publications

References 59 publications

Deicing Road Salts May Contribute to Impairment of Streambeds through Alterations to Sedimentation Processes

Deicing Road Salts May Contribute to Impairment of Streambeds through Alterations to Sedimentation Processes

Environmental Fate and Effects of Road Run-Off

Seasonal toxicity of urban road dust in runoff process-studies in Poland

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