Ongoing
Rick Relyea
Road salt applications have dramatically increased over the past 70 years, but only recently have researchers begun to understand the ecological impacts of road salt pollution in fresh water. Our work has demonstrated effects on a diversity of aquatic species across a range of concentrations and documented trophic cascades through food webs. We have discovered salt-induced sex changes in amphibians. We have also compared the effects of common road salt (NaCl) to alternative salt and various organic additives. We have also demonstrated experimental evolution of salt tolerance with a variety of individuals and food-web consequences. Finally, we have written several review papers on road salt pollution.