Road salt accounts for high salinity in North America's freshwater lakes. An extensive study by the Michigan State University reveals that 44 percent of the 371 lakes around the Midwestern and Northeastern regions are experiencing salinization. There is an increasing chloride trend as well.
According to Nicholas Skaff of the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Road salt happens when tons of sodium chloride is applied to roads. When the winter season kicks in, it is easier to thaw the ice with the use of deicing. An average of 23 million metric tons of salt eventually drains to the freshwater lakes.
Skaff stressed that road salt is similar to polluting the freshwater lakes with chloride, MSU Today reported. Every other source of fresh water is at risk as well, including streams, rivers, and groundwater. Road salt is becoming prevalent to the point that marine animals are also being threatened. For example, plankton and invertebrates are manifesting high chloride levels.
The most feared repercussion of road salt is the eventual low oxygen condition in freshwater lakes. In such condition, marine life will be greatly reduced and water quality is doomed. In fact, this problem is happening already in the North American lakes, where road salt is applied very near the shoreline.
Meanwhile, co-author Kathleen Weathers stressed that it is important to monitor road salt and avert salinization, according to Science Daily. Freshwater lakes are not only the habitat of a vast array of marine species but a source of drinking water as well. Government regulations should be strictly implemented as well.
Weathers said that the current trend in freshwater lakes will likely surpass the EPA threshold. Within the next 50 years, road salt may become the disastrous ingredient for high chloride level. There are 14 North American lakes that are considered within the high-risk level. By 2050, 47 other freshwater lakes will likely fall within the 100 milligrams per liter level.
