Some roads are salted heavily in winter. describe one way plants growing near these roads could be harmed
by the salt.

Unlike animals, plants have no way of excreting excess salt from their system. During winter season, vegetation is highly affected because of the spread of salt to prevent further icing on roads to make it safely passable. Road salt affects vegetation by:
a. Increasing water stress – in roots when water molecules are held tightly by salt ions, absorption of water in sufficient quantities cannot be achieved by plants.
b. Generating poor soil quality – when soil has too much sodium content, soil compaction and density increases. When this happens drainage and proper aeration of plants are compromised.
c. Having poor mineral nutrition – when too much sodium and chloride are found in the soil, plants absorb them readily instead of other nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. This causes mineral deficiencies in plants and might hamper its growth and development.