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POLLUTANTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAND AND SALT APPLIED TO ROADS IN MINNESOTA 1
Author(s) -
Oberts Gary L.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1986.tb01903.x
Subject(s) - snowmelt , environmental science , pollutant , salt lake , pollution , surface runoff , environmental engineering , hydrology (agriculture) , salt (chemistry) , snow , geotechnical engineering , geology , chemistry , paleontology , ecology , organic chemistry , structural basin , biology , geomorphology
The component of snowmelt pollutant washoff due to sand and salt application to roadways in Minnesota is simulated. Laboratory methods are used to extract various pollutants from sand‐salt mixtures commonly used in the Minneapolis‐St. Paul Metropolitan Area of Minnesota for keeping winter road conditions safe. Values derived in the laboratory are compared with actual snowmelt runoff values to estimate the contribution of materials application. High concentrations of solids, phosphorus, lead and zinc in snowmelt from road surfaces axe due in part to sand and salt spread to improve winter driving conditions. The source of the sand and salt appears to be influential in determining the pollutant levels. Judicious use and careful application of materials can reduce the increment of pollution due to anti‐skid sand and salt applied to road surfaces.