Method for using tree crops as pollutant control
OwnerLouis A. Lichtinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of naturally removing or inhibiting pollutants. Tree stems are planted adjacent to or intersecting near surface ground water supply or adjacent a contaminated air source. The trees and rooted soil serve as a sponge and a pump to remove pollutants from water sources and serve as a buffer system to remove contaminants from air and polluted water sources. The system can also be used as a cap over landfills and brown fields to manage water.
Claims25
A method of reducing leachate from contaminated soil on landfills and brown fields, said method comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae family at a depth sufficient so that said stems intersect with enough soil to develop a root system of sufficient depth to interact with the soil to function as a sponge and pump, and
- allowing said stems to develop roots to remove water from the soil, thereby preventing or greatly reducing further leakage of water into contaminated material and reducing leachate creation.
A method of filtering anions, cations and organic particles from waste water comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae adjacent to a waste water source;
- allowing the stems to develop roots in such a manner that the roots intercept said waste water and adsorb said anions, cations and organic particles present in the waste water.
A method of trapping airborne particulate matter comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae family, allowing said stems to develop roots, and planting said stems adjacent to an airborne particle source so that said stems and leaves will provide sufficient surface area to intercept said airborne particulate matter such that the particles will fall or wash from said leaves and become amendment for the soil.
A method of filtering trace anion, cation and organic compounds from sewage water comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae family adjacent to a sewage water source;
- allowing the stems to develop roots in such a manner that the roots intercept said sewage water irrigated by surface or subsurface distribution systems and adsorb said anions, cations and trace organic compounds from the sewage water.
A method of reducing leachate from contaminated soil on landfills and brown fields, said method comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae family at a depth ranging from six inches to seven feet so that said stem interacts with enough soil to develop a root system of sufficient depth to interact with the soil to function as a sponge and pump, and planting the tree stems at a density of about 3 ft2/tree to 40 ft2/tree;
- and
- allowing said stems to develop roots to remove water from the soil, thereby preventing or greatly reducing further leakage into contaminated material and reducing leachate creation.
A method of trapping airborne particulate matter comprising:
- planting rooted or unrooted tree stems of the Salicaceae family at a density of about 3 ft2/tree to 40 ft2/tree and adjacent to an airborne particle source so that said stems and leaves will provide sufficient surface area to intercept said airborne particulate matter such that the particles will fall or wash from said leaves and become amendment for the soil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.