Laboratory and controlled field plot experiments were performed to determine environmental transport, fate, and effects of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), a potential highway deicing agent. These experiments concerned CMA movements, reactions, and effects in soil, vegetation, surface water, and groundwater. Results demonstrated no impacts of concern on soil physical properties and terrestrial vegetation. The leading potential environmental impact is dissolved oxygen depletion in surface waters receiving CMA runoff, which in acute episodes could kill fish and other aquatic animals. Soil mobility of acetate and trace metals, released through cation exchanged processes, is also an issue. Based on the results, guidelines for CMA use were drafted to minimize the chances of these potential impacts to occur. The results also contributed to procedures for predicting CMA activity in the environment and assessing its environmental impacts. These guidelines and procedures are intended to apply in the interim until a highway-scale study can be performed to verify or modify the conclusions of this research.
Samenvatting