Work

Causal effects of urbanization and winter weather on salinity in the Delaware River Basin

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Salinity is increasing in freshwater reaches of rivers around the globe, including in the Delaware River Basin, located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This study estimates the causal effect of land use changes on in-stream salinity concentrations in the Delaware River Basin. A 1% increase in urbanized areas increases salinity by 3 mg/L, or about 16%. Freezing precipitation, which leads to salt from deicing applications, also increases salinity, particularly in watersheds with developed land uses. Simulating salinity levels based on land use and climate projections indicates that, even in a warming climate with reduced deicing, more development increases in-stream salinity. • Urbanization significantly increases in-stream salinity levels. • A 1% increase in developed land raises salinity by 3 mg/L (16%). • Freezing rain events elevate salinity due to road deicer runoff. • Future projections show salinity increases despite climate warming. • Findings inform land use and climate policy for water quality resilience.

Source: Journal of Environmental Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126288

Authors: Gabriel R. Lara, Daniel A. Brent, Allison Lassiter, Hui Tian

Institutions: University of California, Irvine, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Smart Materials for Construction

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Clean water and sanitation, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750