The Influence of Calcium Chloride on Soil Animals, Microorganisms, and Phytoplankton

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is an inorganic chemical from the chloride group, and it is widely used as one of snow removal agents on the road in winter. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of the road salt (NaCl) on soil organisms (a soil animal, microorganisms, and plankton). The soil dwelling Armadillidium vulgare died from high concentration of calcium chloride treatment. The longer the processing time of A. vulgare at the high concentration of calcium chloride, the lower the survival rate. A. vulgare died 16% at a calcium chloride concentration of 1 mM. In the disc diffusion test, the diameter of the inhibition zone proportionally increased with the concentration of calcium chloride. Micrococcus sp. was slightly higher in calcium chloride inhibitory activity than those of three soil microorganisms (Bacillus subtillus, Pseudomonas flurescens, and Xanthomonas maltophilia). About 90% of microorganisms (phytoplanktons) died when the 15.0 mM calcium chloride solution was used. In this study, high concentrations of calcium chloride affected the survival of soil animals, soil microorganisms, and water microorganisms. If chloride dissolves in water and flows into rivers or lakes, it can cause destruction of soil or aquatic ecosystems and threat to the survival of small organisms.