A review of Slovenian and foreign literature considering the impacts of winter salting on the urban environment and urban trees is presented. Field sampling at 4 locations in Ljubljana was made. We analysed the needles of 10 Austrian black pine trees, soil samples and snow samples for the concentrations and changes in the concentrations in selected chemical elements. The changes in the soil parameters are the most significant on the heavy salted locations. Salting increased the pH of the upper soil horizon. The concentration of chloride increased at the most of the locations. In locations, which were most heavily salted, the concentrations of heavy metals in the upper soil horizon decreased, which could indicate that winter salting increases the mobility of heavy metals. The concentrations of chloride and sodium on the needles decreased after the end of the winter, which could possible indicate that the absorption through the needles is also present. We would need repeated measurements from several years to get reliable data. Within 1.5 m from the road the vegetation is most heavily exposed to the salt,trees more distant from the road do not get elevated concentrations of NaCl. The list of possible measures for lessening the negative effects of winter salting on the urban environment is prepared.
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