De-icing Salt Damage to Trees and Shrubs


Book Description

In the early 1970s it was estimated that de-icing applications were directly responsible for the deaths of over 700,000 trees annually in Western Europe. Today, however, the situation is probably much worse as rock salt (sodium chloride) is being used for de-icing in ever-increasing quantities on the roads. In this bulletin the world literature on the subject is examined. It looks at the symptoms of de-icing salt damage, species tolerance to de-icing salt and mechanisms of salt toxicity; and provides an evaluation of the methods for reducing salt damage. Not only trees are damaged - salt promotes concrete decay, ruins roads, causes cars to rust and is detrimental to the environment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the effects and the necessary alternatives to de-icing with rock salt.



















Sustainable Winter Road Operations


Book Description

The first and only comprehensive guide to best practices in winter road operations Winter maintenance operations are essential to ensure the safety, mobility, and productivity of transportation systems, especially in cold-weather climates, and responsible agencies are continually challenged to provide a high level of service in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner. Sustainable Winter Road Operations bridges the knowledge gaps, providing the first up-to-date, authoritative, single-source overview and guide to best practices in winter road operations that considers the triple bottom line of sustainability. With contributions from experts in the field from around the world, this book takes a holistic approach to the subject. The authors address the many negative impacts on regional economies and the environment of poorly planned and inadequate winter road operations, and they make a strong case for the myriad benefits of environmentally sustainable concepts and practices. Best practice applications of materials, processes, equipment, and associated technologies and how they can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of winter operations, optimize materials usage, and minimize cost, corrosion, and environmental impacts are all covered in depth. Provides the first up-to-date, authoritative and comprehensive overview of best practices in sustainable winter road operations currently in use around the world Covers materials, processes, equipment, and associated technologies for sustainable winter road operations Brings together contributions by an international all-star team of experts with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing sustainable winter road operations Designed to bring professionals involved in transportation and highway maintenance and control up to speed with current best practice Sustainable Winter Road Operations is essential reading for maintenance professionals dealing with snow and ice control operations on highways, motorways and local roads. It is a valuable source of information and guidance for decision makers, researchers, and engineers in transportation engineering involved in transportation and highway maintenance. And it is an ideal textbook for advanced-level courses in transportation engineering.







Road Salts


Book Description

Road salts are used as de- & anti-icing chemicals for winter road maintenance, and enter the Canadian environment through their storage & use and through disposal of snow cleared from roadways. This report summarizes the information critical to the assessment of these salts (including chlorides of sodium, calcium, potassium, & magnesium, as well as ferrocyanide salts added as anti-caking agents) as toxic. Information is included on their identity, properties, production, and sources; road salt loadings as determined from surveys; roadway snow disposal; releases of salts from patrol yards; environmental fate & pathways; and chloride concentrations in surface waters across Canada. The report concludes with an assessment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act regarding toxicity & environmental impact of road salts on groundwater, aquatic ecosystems, soils, terrestrial vegetation, and terrestrial wildlife. A separate section characterizes the environmental exposure, effects, & risk of ferrocyanides.