Airborne spreading and deposition of de-icing salt - a case study

In this study it was concluded that between 20 and 63% of the de-icing salt applied on the road was transported by air and deposited on the ground 2-40 m from the road. The reason for the higher percentages is suggested to be intense snowfall, which leads to more splash generation and ploughing. Ninety percent or more of the total deposition occurs within 20 m at all transects. For all periods and both localities the deposition was greater on the east side of the road, which reflects the prevailing westerly winds in relation to the de-icing action occasions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.