Urban Soil Chemistry and Tree Nutrition under the Impact of Winter Maintenance Salts Application on Pavements

Urban soil is under the influence of winter maintenance of roads and pavements using de-icing salts. Water-soluble salts (chlorides mainly) are typical of high mobility and effect on soil chemistry and plants. This study deals with the impact of de-icing salts applied to winter maintain the pavement and road surface on soil chemistry and tree nutrition. Soil chemistry was observed in the Třinec city (Czech Republic) during two winter seasons with three soil sample collection periods (December 2018; February 2019 and February 2020; 8 sampling zones - streets and parks; the sampling depths of 5-15 cm in the 0.5 to 7 m distance from pavements). The tree nutrition was studied at 5 sites where the soil samples and leaves were collected in the December 2019 (5 sampling sites and 2 sampling depths for each tree). High alkalinity of the soil resulted both from water-soluble salt content and carbonates. Winter maintenance of pavements resulted in the different increase in the soil reaction and electrical conductivity, compared Feb. 2019 and 2020. Plant nutrition was characteristic of the increased content of chlorides in one case and slight soil and leaves nutrient ratio imbalance. Compared to roads, winter maintenance of pavements performed with de-icing chemicals will not pose the hazardous environmental risk factor within the current intensity.