A Comparison of Concentration Trends of Road Salt in Streams of Urbanized and Rural areas in Kingston

The extensive use of road salt in Ontario is necessary to maintain safe transportation networks during the province’s long, cold winters. Frequent freeze-thaw cycles lead to repeated salt application, particularly in urban areas with high traffic volume and dense road networks. This study examines the spatial and temporal trends of chloride concentrations in streams across urban and rural areas in Kingston, Ontario, and assesses how land use and road density influence these levels. By selecting two areas with different degrees of urbanization, this research will compare chloride concentration trends between urban environments, where heavy road salt use is expected to have a pronounced impact, and rural areas, where natural landscapes and agricultural land may moderate chloride accumulation. To achieve this, road and river segment layers will be integrated into a GIS platform for spatial analysis. Additionally, water quality data—including chloride concentrations, pH levels, conductivity, and potentially more variables—will be sourced from the Provincial (Stream) Water Quality Monitoring Network and compared to for the year 2022. Correlation and regression analyses will also be conducted to quantify the relationship between road salt application and key water quality variables. It is expected that higher road density will correspond to elevated chloride levels, with stronger correlations observed in urban areas. The findings of this study will provide insights into the environmental consequences of road salt use and inform strategies for sustainable winter road maintenance that balance transportation safety with ecosystem health.