This thesis investigates biochar’s potential to mitigate the negative impacts of road salt on roadside soils through stormwater runoff and formulates recommendations for integrating
biochar into road shoulder drainage systems. Road salt, primarily sodium chloride (NaCl), is
widely used for deicing, but it negatively impacts ecosystems, particularly by polluting water
sources. Wood-derived biochar, produced at high temperatures, is recommended for its ability to
improve soil properties, including increasing water retention, reducing compaction, and
enhancing nutrient availability. This thesis recommends a beginning application rate of 3-4% by
weight, amended into the root zone of salt-tolerant vegetation, such as native warm-season
grasses and halophytes. This research suggests that roadside enhancements with biochar,
executed by a case-by-case approach, can offer sustainable solutions for managing road salt
pollution. This thesis highlights the need for further research, particularly regarding the long-term monitoring of biochar and the development of sustainable biomass for biochar production.
