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When it comes to deicing chemicals, the District has taken new steps to deice roads in both a more effective and environmentally friendly way. DDOT and the D.C. Department of Public Works have developed an organic deicing brine that mixes salt, water and beet juice, to replace the traditional application of straight rock salt.
Here’s what I don’t understand: in the freezing point depression of salt dissolved in water (which is why salt keeps roads from icing up)the salt has to be DISSOLVED into the water. It’s not a catalyst. That means it is washed away as soon as the liquid runs off the road. So why does beet juice “cement” salt to the road? Makes no sense.
Of course I did. Sorry but I don’t buy the claims of DC bureaucrats.