Aragonite based ground covering
AssigneesNant Holdings IP, LLC, Calcean Minerals and Materials, LLC
InventorsHarold Meherg, Anthony Myers, Patrick Soon-Shiong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions and methods are presented in which aragonite, and especially oolitic aragonite particles are used as infill material in an artificial turf structure or as sub-growth substrate for natural grass. Advantageously, oolitic aragonite particles provide: a superior microporous surface for effective water saturation to impart thermal control and environmental compatibility; ammonia neutralization of urine by reducing urea hydrolysis with the free calcium presented in the aragonite particles; and aragonite particle uniformity allowing for reduced compaction and desirable water draining.
Claims18
An agricultural composition, comprising:
- a plurality of oolithic aragonite particles and an agriculturally relevant agent coupled to the aragonite particles, wherein the agriculturally relevant agent is a fertilizer comprising urea or urea-ammonium nitrate.
A method of reducing urea volatilization in soil, comprising:
- placing a plurality of oolithic aragonite particles into soil, wherein the soil is subject to treatment with a urea-based fertilizer;
- and
- wherein the oolithic aragonite particles are placed into the soil in an amount that provides sufficient exchangeable calcium ions to reduces a rate of hydrolysis of the urea and/or that binds ammonium ions to the aragonite particles.
A method of treating soil, comprising:
- placing a layer of oolithic aragonite particles in soil to thereby form a sub-growth substrate layer, wherein the layer has a thickness that retains fertilizer or reduces elution of soluble nitrates, nitrites and ammonia from the soil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.