The study found that exposure to de-icing road salts, even those marketed as environmentally friendly, severely reduces reproductive output in zooplankton, impacting the freshwater food chain.
Researchers tracked the life cycle of Daphnia pulex and found significant reproductive decline in plankton exposed to road salts, raising concern over the sustainability of freshwater ecosystems.
Calcium chloride, labeled as a more environmentally friendly option, resulted in shorter lifespans and smaller body sizes in plankton, compromising their ability to reproduce effectively.
William Hintz warns that current regulations on de-icing salt use may not adequately safeguard zooplankton populations, which are crucial for maintaining the health of freshwater environments.
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