In cold New York and Long Island winters, road salt is a staple used to clear icy roads and keep drivers safe, with New York State applying an estimated 1.5 million tons annually to maintain travel during harsh weather conditions. While effective, growing concerns about environmental impacts have prompted closer examination of how salt affects groundwater and ecosystems across the region.
At William Floyd High School, junior Joyce Chen is taking on that challenge through an AP Research project focused on Long Island’s sandy soil and shallow aquifers. Working with Dr. Martin Palermo and Erin Hansen, Chen is studying how road salt contamination varies by distance from roadways and depth below the surface.
“Joyce is attempting to answer the question, ‘How does road salt contamination vary with horizontal distance from roadways and vertical depth below the soil surface in Long Island’s sandy loams?’”
On a recent weekend, she and her father collected soil samples along William Floyd Parkway, measuring distances up to eighteen meters and depths reaching thirty six centimeters. She then analyzed electrical conductivity to estimate salt concentration in each sample, data that will help determine how far contaminants travel underground.
Research shows excess road salt can seep into aquifers, raising chloride levels and threatening drinking water supplies and aquatic life. In response, some New York municipalities are testing alternatives such as brine solutions, beet juice mixtures and reduced application strategies to limit environmental damage while maintaining safety.
Chen hopes her findings will contribute to that conversation by providing localized data on how road salt behaves in Long Island conditions. Her work highlights the balance between public safety and environmental protection as communities seek smarter winter road management solutions for the future across New York State communities. Her project underscores the importance of sustainable infrastructure decisions in climate conditions.