EFFECTS OF DEICING-SALTS ON HEAVY-METAL MOBILITY

Heavy metal input into roadside soils and effects of deicing salts are often discussed as separate environmental problems. However, a relationship between salt input and heavy metal mobility has already been detected in laboratory tests. During a 2-year field study, the soil solution of a roadside soil was continuously sampled. The results of soil solution analysis not only showed a strong rise in deicing-salt related sodium, calcium and chloride concentrations, but also high zinc and cadmium values in winter and spring. Additional laboratory tests confirmed the mobilizing effects of salt solution which contained NaCl and CaCl2. Cation exchange and the formation of chlorocomplexes are discussed as the responsible mechanisms.