Environmental impacts of deicing salt

Deicing salt is used during the winter season to clear snow and ice from our roads, sidewalks, and driveways. However, it has some environmental impacts that can harm plants, animals, and water sources.

Imagine you spill salt from your snack onto the ground. Salt does not dissolve in water easily, so it will stay there until someone cleans it up. Similarly, when we use deicing salt on our roads and sidewalks, it gets into the environment and remains there for a long time.

The salt that remains on the roads and sidewalks can harm plants by drawing out water from the soil, making it difficult for them to grow. Animals such as birds and small mammals also suffer because they can slip on the roads and sidewalks and get hurt. Moreover, salt can mix with the soil and seep into the groundwater, harming aquatic plants and animals.

Additionally, when the snow and ice melt, the salt flows into our rivers and streams, increasing their salt content. This increase in salt levels is not good for fish and other aquatic creatures, which can become stressed or even die due to the high salt concentration.

Overall, while deicing salt helps us clear our roads and sidewalks, it harms the environment by harming plants, animals, and aquatic creatures. We need to use it in moderation and find alternative solutions to minimize its impact on the environment.