The effect of de-icing roads with salt on the environment in Krakow (Poland)

Kostka, Anna; Strzebońska, Magdalena; Sobczyk, Maciej; Zakrzewska, Marta; Bochenek, Αnna

doi:10.7494/geol.2019.45.3.195

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The presence of chlorides may also result from the winter maintenance of roads, which in Poland is mainly based on the use of sodium chloride in various forms and mixtures. It has been demonstrated, however [89], that the risk to the water/soil environment in Kraków related to the winter maintenance of roads is not significant. The main ecological problem related to the presence of waste piles of former "Solvay" Kraków Soda Works in the drainage basin of the Wilga River is the leaching of salts into the surface water and presumably also groundwater in the area of Kraków.…”

Section: The Impact Of Waste Piles Of Former "Solvay" Kraków Soda Wor...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues

Strzebońska

Kostka

2021

Minerals

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Aquatic systems are a very important part of the environment, which requires special attention due to the constant deterioration of the quality and quantity of water globally. Aquatic environments in Poland are mostly affected by the mining and smelting industry, which is especially visible in the south of the country, and one of such anthropogenically affected rivers is the Wilga—a small tributary of the Vistula River (the biggest river in Poland). For many years, the catchment area of the Wilga River accommodated a functioning industry that was based on the use of metals (fur, leather processing, foundry and galvanizing plants), as well as the “Solvay” Kraków Soda Works, which have left behind soda waste piles, and currently, along the course of the river, there are ongoing works connected with the construction of the “Łagiewnicka Route”, which required the relocation of a section of the Wilga river bed, among other things. To determine the general condition of the river, selected physico-chemical parameters were analysed in the water (pH, conductivity, anions: Cl−, N-NO3, P-PO4 and SO4 and cations: Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn), suspended particulate matter and sediment (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn). Samples were taken before the relocation of the river bed (2019) and after its relocation (2021). The obtained data were compared with recorded historical data and this revealed that over the years, the condition of the Wilga environment has improved significantly, especially in terms of the contamination of sediments with metals, the concentrations of which fell several ten-fold. This is attributed to the closure of most industrial plants located within the river’s catchment area and to the modernization and legal regulation of the functioning of the remaining plants. An effect of leachates from the soda waste piles on the waters of Wilga has been observed (in the form of higher pH, mineralization and concentration of chlorides), which has however gradually decreased over time. However, no visible impact of road transport on the river’s environment has been observed, or any impact of the construction works or the related relocation of the river bed for that matter. The river should still be classified as polluted, but the level of this pollution has decreased significantly and the qualitative composition of the pollution has also changed.

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Section: The Impact Of Waste Piles Of Former "Solvay" Kraków Soda Wor...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues

Strzebońska

Kostka

2021

Minerals

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“…The only parameter that seems to be influenced by season rather than sampling location, was concentration of chlorides, which was the highest during the winter of 2020. That could have been probably caused by the use of salt for road de-icing [97,98].…”

Section: Contents Of Pollutants In Roof Runoffmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemistry and Microbiology of Urban Roof Runoff in Kraków, Poland with Ecological and Health Risk Implications

2020

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Urban rainwater samples, collected in various districts of Kraków during the period from the spring of 2019 to the winter of 2020, were investigated, and relevant risk implications were assessed. The contents of 31 components were determined, including: bacteria, fungi, pH, EC, Cl-, N-NO3, P-PO4, SO42-, SiO2, K, Mg, Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mo, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn. The highest contents of the investigated elements were determined in the industrial (eastern) part of Kraków. The values of toxicity potential were <1, indicating a lack of ecological risk. The value of contamination degree indicated moderate rainwater contamination in all analyzed elements (Cdeg = 9.44). The total non-carcinogenic risk values, in both adults (hazard quotient (HQ) = 1.38) and children (HQ = 2.54), exceeded the acceptable level of one. Regarding individual elements in dermal contact, the acceptable level of 1 × 10−6 was exceeded in Pb (adults carcinogenic risk (CR) = 4.87 × 10−5, children CR = 2.23 × 10−5). The contents of the analyzed chemical compounds did not exceed the permissible levels adopted for drinking water; however, rainwater was significantly contaminated with respect to its microbiological parameters. Rainwater was suitable for non-potable use.

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“…Chloride concentrations also affect pH level of soil. Land in the areas with higher traffic volumes has been showing higher pH values, particularly during the winter period [32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship among Precipitation, Application of Salt in Winter Road Maintenance and the Quality of Waterways and Soil around Motorway

Jandová

Bucková

Hegrová

et al. 2020

Water

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Construction of motorways and road traffic bring a new line element into the landscape, which fundamentally influences the local hydrological regime and water quality. Impermeable surfaces are introduced into the landscape, affecting the natural infiltration of water in the environment. The aim of the present research was to assess the long-term historical development of changes in the landscape retention potential due to construction of the D1 motorway in the Jihlava region and also evaluate the impact of winter maintenance on the quality of surface waters and soils. During the reference period, the research area showed an increase in land take and related increases in soil sealing by impermeable surfaces due to the construction of the D1 motorway. This fact has clearly contributed to the deterioration of the retention potential of the landscape in the area. Chloride concentrations of both matrices were evaluated in relation to the amount of de-icing salt applied at the sites and precipitation recorded in this region. Water samples collected at the outflow contained in all cases higher concentrations of chloride than samples of the inflow water. The highest chloride concentration in soil was measured in samples collected at a distance of 2 m from the road.

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The effect of de-icing roads with salt on the environment in Krakow (Poland)

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues

Geochemical State of Wilga River Environment in Kraków (Poland)—Historical Aspects and Existing Issues

Chemistry and Microbiology of Urban Roof Runoff in Kraków, Poland with Ecological and Health Risk Implications

The Relationship among Precipitation, Application of Salt in Winter Road Maintenance and the Quality of Waterways and Soil around Motorway

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