Accumulation of De-Icing Salt and Leaching in Spanish Soils Surrounding Roadways

Esther Asensio, Víctor J. Ferreira, Gonzalo Gil, Tatiana García-Armingol, Ana M. López-Sabirón and Germán Ferreira
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Esther Asensio: Departamento Química Analítica, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Víctor J. Ferreira: Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE), CIRCE Building-Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Gonzalo Gil: Departamento Química Analítica, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Tatiana García-Armingol: Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE), CIRCE Building-Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Ana M. López-Sabirón: Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE), CIRCE Building-Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Germán Ferreira: Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption (CIRCE), CIRCE Building-Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: The environmental implications of soil salinity caused by accumulation of de-icing salt and leaching in soils of northeastern Spain were examined. For this purpose, the concentrations of ions associated with diagnosing and managing this problem were evaluated from several measurements performed over one year along a road. This analysis demonstrated a higher concentration of soluble Na + in the soil 3 m from a road in the northernmost part of the study area in February, which made the soil saline-sodic. Data from the rest of the study period (during the spring and summer) demonstrated that the de-icing salt moved to areas farther south by runoff water, which caused environmental impacts by modifying soil characteristics. These results suggest that leaching of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ cations occurred faster in the studied systems in sodic soils. Leaching of these cations may affect plant yield, and results in environmental impacts within 3–30 m from the road. Awareness of this impact will be useful for developing future strategies for evaluating and reporting these complex relationships within Spain’s transport system and environment.

Keywords: de-icing salt; roadway; saline-sodic soil; roadway; saline-sodic soil; plant grow yield; environmental impact; plant damage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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