Method of sustaining plant growth in toxic substrates polluted with heavy metal elements
OwnerPeter J. Leggoinventor
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Abstract
A method of sustaining plant growth in toxic substrates polluted with heavy metal elements, characterized in that it comprises amendment and remediation of the toxic substrates with an organo-zeolitic mixture. Vegetation, such as hyperaccumulator plants or native plants and grasses for in situ remediation, will now grow. The method can also be used as a fertilizer and for beneficiation of normal, uncontaminated soils.
Claims19
A method of sustaining plant growth in toxic substrates polluted with heavy metal elements, characterized in that it comprises amendment of the toxic substrates with an organo-zeolitic mixture.
The addition of excess un-ammoniated zeolitite increased the growth enhancement factor with the zeolite bio-fertilizer in the original compositonal form, i.e., substrate containing 16-17 vol % of the organo-zeoligic mixture.
Cut-off limits for the amount of excess un-ammoniated zeolitite to produce maximum growth can be specified.
These limits vary according to plant density, plant species, metal contaminant species, metal element concentration, soil physical and chemical properties.
By achieving maximum root density, soil retention will be maximized. In this way, heavy metal pollutants will remain in situ and protected from erosional forces that cause transportation.
The invention alters the pH content in highly acidic soils, permitting vegetation to grow.
The bio-fertilizer can be used to beneficiate and fertilize non-toxic soils.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.