ENVR 290 Impacts of River Salinity and Road Salts on Macroinvertebrates (2025)

Our research examined the relationship of salinity and distance from the water from the when road salt is introduced into macroinvertebrate communities. We selected three sites in Potsdam along the Raquette River (Leman Park, Postwood Beach, and Sandstoner Park) to test for salinity as well as species presence. We hypothesized that salinity would increase the closer the water was to the road, with negative impacts on macroinvertebrate diversity. At each of our locations, chosen with this idea in mind, we collected macroinvertebrate species in a net and categorized them by species. This research will help us understand road salt’s impact on freshwater ecosystems.