Chloride inputs to the North Saskatchewan River watershed: the role of road salts as a potential driver of salinization downstream of North America’s northern most major city (Edmonton, Canada)

Highlights

• Deicers often drive freshwater salinization in northern regions of the world.

• Less is known in areas where temperatures may be too cold for NaCl to be effective.

• Cl is increasing downstream of North America's northernmost major city (Edmonton).

• Deicers (54%) and agriculture (20%) are main sources of chloride.

• Important to identify and manage all potential drivers of freshwater salinization