As southwestern Ontario remains in a deep freeze and municipalities face a shortage of road salt, efforts are underway to explore alternative methods for melting road ice. Researchers at Western University have initiated a study in 2022 to investigate this issue, with the anticipated release of study findings later this summer.
The study is examining nine different substances to assess their effectiveness in melting road ice across various conditions. Christopher Power, an associate professor involved in the research, highlighted that sodium chloride, commonly known as rock salt, is the preferred de-icing agent for Ontario municipalities due to its cost-effectiveness.
While rock salt effectively clears ice by lowering water’s freezing point, it poses drawbacks such as corrosion and environmental harm. Excessive salt runoff into water bodies, including the Great Lakes, has raised concerns about environmental degradation. Power emphasized the diminishing efficacy of rock salt at temperatures below -10°C.
Among the alternative ice-melting substances studied by Western University are sodium acetate and beet juice, which are already utilized in various applications. The research involved testing these substances on designated areas of the university campus to evaluate their ice-clearing properties.
Although the study phase has concluded, researchers are currently analyzing the data to determine the melting efficiency and corrosiveness of each substance. Power noted that while a definitive alternative to sodium chloride has not been identified, economic factors may impede the widespread adoption of new de-icing agents due to the low cost of rock salt.
However, Power suggested a more targeted approach to de-icing by supplementing rock salt with less corrosive substances in specific areas, such as near water bodies or bridges. Many municipalities, including the City of London, are exploring diversified road-clearing strategies in response to the salt shortage, incorporating sand-salt mixes and adjusting plowing practices to reduce reliance on traditional salt applications.
