Catalina Claus
Project
The impact of de-icing agents on freshwater ecosystems: comparing the effects of road salt (NaCl) and de-icing alternatives at various biological scalesIn temperate regions of North America, where there are snowfall events, various salt types are applied on roads to keep them safe, ironically at the cost of the safety of freshwater ecosystems. This work will investigate the impacts of de-icing agents (organic vs inorganic) on freshwater systems at various biological scales. From an ecosystem perspective, I will investigate the state of urban ponds in Montreal to reveal how the historical application of sodium chloride (NaCl) plays a role in water quality patterns. Using mesocosms I will compare the impacts of NaCl and organic alternatives (beet juice brine, GeoMeltTM) on plankton and zooplankton communities that reside in nutrient-rich vs. poor waterbodies. Finally, on a population and individual scale, I will run lab toxicology experiments to assess the evolutionary resilience of zooplankton to historical exposure to NaCl or the second most common inorganic salt, magnesium chloride (MgCl2). Overall, my work aims to assess the impact of de-icing alternatives for better management of our freshwater ecosystems. My results will apply to city managers, policymakers and conservation scientists by re-defining thresholds and types for aquatic protection.
