Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Road Salt Application And Its Effects On Sodium And Chloride Ion Concentrations In An Urban Stream Patroon Creek, Albany, Ny, Elizabeth K. Erickson

Geology Theses and Dissertations

The application of road salt in an urban watershed leads to increased sodium and chloride concentrations in surface water and groundwater, which can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems, and may have consequences for soil cation exchange. This study focuses on the spatial and temporal variations in sodium and chloride concentrations in Patroon Creek, Albany County, New York, a tributary of the Hudson River. For two years, weekly surface water samples were gathered from 7 sites along Patroon Creek for major ion concentrations as measured by ion chromatography. Additionally, a USGS gage on Patroon Creek measures specific conductivity, water temperature, stage, and …