Salt Usage
Salt, also known as the bane of our shoes in Canadian winters. Did you know that the salt used on our roads and sidewalks is actually carefully measured and mixed by professionals in order to be beneficial for us? It is explained how and why it is so important for it to be carefully measure in the article released by The Record News called, "The perfect mixture: the science of salting, sanding roads.”
Quantity of certain chemicals can have a huge effect on a reaction or physical change. One limiting reagent is always present, a chemical or substance that is used up, thereby stopping the reaction. It’s important to carefully measure these quantities in order to prevent the reaction to lose control. Balancing chemical equations can also help determine how much salt is actually needed when de-icing roads.
In this case, a chemical reaction is not exactly taking place, however, the melted ice is dissolving the sodium chloride.
To sum up the article, it explains how different cities and towns use different ratios of sand to salt in their mixes. For example, cities with colder temperatures like Ottawa, require more salt, as preventing refreezing is key. But, in cities where the temperature is too low for salt to be of any use, more sand is applied to provide more traction. Although salt is very beneficial for our traction cities often fail to consider the environmental impact of how much they are using. A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says that when salt is applied on roads, it "impacts water quality.” She goes on to say that, especially in areas around road salt storage piles, waterways are impacted by salt runoff. As snow and ice melt, they are carried into storm drains and sent untreated to our waterways. The sodium in road salt can destroy soil stability, decreasing the ability of the soil to filter water, and increasing soil erosion.
The safety of cars on roads is extremely important, but so is the local environment. Of course, humans are always going to choose the quick fix (salt) over a long-term change (fewer cars?). Salt is crucial in Canada’s harsh climate, but I believe we could definitely improve or at least investigate the impact we are having on our environment when we use it.
So, my question is this: Is salt harmless enough to continue to use, or should we investigate alternatives? Are the benefits worth the risks we are taking?
