SNC1DE Name: _______________________

Date: _____________
 
To Salt the Roads, or Not to Salt the Roads…?
Introduction:

Canadian winters are harsh, therefore, keeping our roads safe in the winter is a vital concern for
Canadians. Safety can be enhanced by improving traction, or grip, on slippery roads. In addition
to the use of winter tires, substances such as road salt, sand, or gravel are also used to reduce
slippery road conditions. However, road salt can harm the natural environment and damage
metal on cars. Some ingredients in road salt might also be toxic.

Background Information:

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium chloride (NaCl) are the major components of road salt.
Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and iron salts may also be used in small amounts. The substances
are finely crushed and spread on icy roads and pavements.

In the right conditions, road salt helps ice melt away because the salt lowers the freezing point of
water. For example, a 20% salt solution freezes at about -16°C, whereas fresh water freezes at
0°C. However, if the temperature is much below -15°C, road salt is not effective. In Kingston,
the average temperature low for the months of January and February is around -12°C, though,
there are days that drop much below this temperature (Climate and Weather, 2019).

Analyze and Evaluate:

Work with your group to answer the following questions and decide whether or not you believe
that your community should continue to salt the roads in the winter.

1. Each member of your group must be assigned a role. Record who will take on each role.

Speaker: Artist: Librarian: Tracker:

Role
_____________ _______________ ______________ _______________

You will share You will record You will be the You will keep your
Duties what your group what your group “keeper of the group on task. It is
learned with the learns on a white chrome book” or your job to guide
other students in board. Remember other electronic conversation and
the class (2-minute to record the key device. You will be make sure that your
mini-presentation) points! in charge of the group is working
research. efficiently.

Reference:
Climate and average monthly weather in Kingston (Ontario), Canada. (2019). Retrieved from https://weather-and-
climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,kingston-ca,Canada
 
 
SNC1DE Name: _______________________
Date: _____________
 
2. How might road salts be impacting the environment in Kingston? Think about the potential
effect of road salts on plant and animal life, water systems, etc.

3. Kingston if often called the “limestone city”. What is the effect of road salts on limestone
structures (and/or other structures), and how could this be problematic for Kingston?

4. Create a table weighing the pros and cons of using road salts.

PROS CONS

5. Do you think the pros outweigh the cons? Why or why not?

Reference:
Climate and average monthly weather in Kingston (Ontario), Canada. (2019). Retrieved from https://weather-and-
climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,kingston-ca,Canada