Treatment material pumping system
OwnerEdward G. Gatliffinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A remediation-assisting material or structure is arranged in the vicinity of a root system and the hole prepared for the root system. The hydraulic gradient created by the root system draws contaminated water through the remediation-assisting material or structure to enhance remediation of contaminants within the groundwater. To facilitate the establishment of a hydraulic gradient, and perhaps to concentrate the same, the hole prepared for the root system is made in such a way that surface water will not penetrate the hole and feed the root system in lieu of the root system being fed by the groundwater, as extracted by capillary action.
Claims27
A method of treating a contaminant in groundwater from an aquifer, comprising the steps of:
- a. identifying a contaminant to be treated;
- b. preparing a hole through soil layers in the earth to expose an aquifer having a contaminated groundwater therein;
- c. planting a tree with a root system in said hole in soil so as to develop a treatment area defined by the hydraulic gradient established by the root system, the hydraulic gradient being dependent upon the tree's use of water;
- d. selecting a treatment material, structure or device in addition to the soil to assist in the treatment of the identified contaminant in the aquifer;
- and
- e. arranging the treatment material, structure or device in the treatment area such that water pumped to the root system by the hydraulic gradient of the tree root system is exposed to the treatment material, structure or device before the water is used by the tree via its root system, whereby the treatment material, structure or device treats the identified contaminant from the aquifer.
A method of treating a contaminant in groundwater from an aquifer comprising the steps of:
- a. identifying a contaminant to be treated;
- b. creating a cavity in the earth to expose an aquifer having a contaminated groundwater therein and to provide for the growth of the root system of a tree;
- c. at least partially filling the cavity with a rooting medium;
- d. providing a tree with a root system so as to develop a treatment area defined by the hydraulic gradient established by the root system, the hydraulic gradient being dependent upon the tree's use of water from the contaminated aquifer;
- e. planting the tree by placing the root system of the tree at least partially into the rooting medium;
- f. selecting a treatment material, structure or device to treat the identified contaminant in the aquifer;
- and
- g. placing the treatment material, structure or device in the treatment area such that water pumped to the root system by the hydraulic gradient of the tree root system is exposed to the treatment material, structure or device before the water is used by the tree via the root system, whereby the treatment material, structure or device treats the identified contaminant from the aquifer.
A system comprising a tree having a root system in a cavity reaching contaminated groundwater in an aquifer treatment area defined by a hydraulic gradient established by the root system, the hydraulic gradient being dependent upon the tree's use of water from the contaminated aquifer, a rooting medium, and a treatment material, structure or device arranged in the treatment area such that water drawn to the root system by the hydraulic gradient of the tree root system is exposed to the treatment material, structure or device prior to the water being used by the tree via its root system, whereby the treatment material, structure or device treats a targeted contaminant in the water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.