parking lot treasure

[asakiyume]

The parking lot at the supermarket was thick with road salt, as if they're expecting a storm, but I don't think there's a storm coming.

It's not much to look at in this photo, but: all the white spots are salt crystals.



It was so beautiful up close, like gemstones:



You might gather them up and count yourself rich, only to have the dissolve if--well, if what? If you kept them in a velvet-lined box you'd probably never be the wiser. But if you tried to set them in silver or gold to wear at your neck or wrists, you'd be in for a sad surprise.

Comments

[khiemtran]

What does happen to the salt when it dissolves? I assume over time there would be quite a lot of it used in certain areas. Does it start affecting the soil?

[amaebi]

It definitely does.

[asakiyume]

Yeah, it does run into waterways and sink into the ground, and it's definitely not good. By reservoirs you'll see signs on the road that say "low salt zone" or "no salt zone."

I think in the present day there are chemical formulations that are not NaCl, things that are theoretically less-bad than plain old sodium chloride.... but I don't know that (a) the substitutes are much used or (b) not dangerous in other ways.

I know sometimes places use lees from breweries--there was one time when the supermarket nearer by used that, and it sure was interesting-smelling!

[khiemtran]

Interesting, thanks!