Corey, thanks for sharing that. I took a look at the article you cited, but, like you, I don't have access to the full article. Just reading the abstract does inform me that the primary risk that they were studying is from chloride, rather than sodium. The abstract describes what they studied, but provides zero information on the practical effects. Maybe the full article does. As it stands, however, this cited abstract is, unfortunately, not helpful in providing answers to the questions we have:
1. Does the amount of salt that Lincoln uses actually cause meaningful increases in high chloride concentrations in groundwater and surface water? 2. If so, then does that higher Cl or NaCl level actually cause the warned-about effects, namely on the abiotic processes and biotic response to chloride exposure? Does this mean that Lincoln is actually seeing, or likely to see, after decades of salting roads, a material change in our current ecosystem due to the warned-about possibilities? Definitely curious about this aspect of the problem too. Bottom line, since Lincoln (and all other municipalities) has been salting roads for decades, I'm definitely eager to learn why this might cause substantial changes to our local ecology now -- if the spring peepers and wood frogs on Lexington road that both Corey and I enjoy hearing haven't been affected, AFAIK, over the last 40-50 years, how would things change now? Thanks, --Dennis -----Original Message----- From: Lincoln <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Corey Nimmer Sent: Monday, January 17, 2022 9:37 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Just how much real danger does sodium in our drinking water present? I’m not sure how much of a concern the salt is for drinking water, and your conclusions here appeal to common sense. I’d also imagine a basic water filter would remove a fair amount of sodium. With regards to the wildlife impact of road salt, it is pretty thoroughly documented in peer reviewed studies that runoff salt has a negative impact on freshwater wetland ecosystems. This article is a literature review published in Science of the Total Environment this year: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34536879/ Basically excessive levels of chloride can decrease plant and animal biodiversity while increasing the growth of phytoplankton, which can accelerate eutrophication in a similar way to runoff nitrogen fertilizer. Lincoln has a high concentration of wetlands, especially vernal pools, which are critical breeding grounds for amphibians, some of which are endangered such as the blue spotted salamander. It’s a subjective opinion, but I feel like amphibians are essential pieces of Lincoln’s character and story. I hope there doesn’t come a day when the air isn’t filled with the sound of spring peepers and wood frogs on warm rainy nights. Not sure if the data exists, but I’d be interested to know if/how the health of our wetlands has changed in recent years. All that being said, I agree that safety and avoiding auto accidents should be paramount. I don’t have access to the full article above but it looks like alternative formulations/chemicals aren’t much better for wetlands, so an engineering-based approach is necessary to determine a salt application plan that optimizes safety while minimizing environmental impact. Chloride levels would have to be tested, critical habitat identified, accident data analyzed, and alternative application techniques explored in order to formulate a plan with the goal to apply enough salt to prevent ice formation while having the lowest possible amount of runoff into certain areas. Like any initiative this would require time, money, and support from residents, so I’m not holding my breath, but I think it’s worth considering, especially if data shows that our wetland ecosystems are in decline. Corey Nimmer Owner/Photographer Corey Flint Photography www.coreyflint.com (617) 319-3913 -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
