Bioremediation mat and method of manufacture and use

A method of manufacturing a bioremediation geocomposite article capable of remediating a liquid-contained contaminant comprising:

• forming a geotextile mat formed from woven or non-woven geotextile fibers, having a thickness of about 6 mm to about 200 mm and having upper and lower major surfaces, wherein the geotextile mat has void spaces between the geotextile fibers that receive organophilic clay and bacteria there between or absorbed therein;
• adding a powdered or granular organophilic clay containing a contaminant-digesting bacteria to said geotextile mat;
• and
• securing adjacent geotextile layers to said organophilic clay and bacteria-containing geotextile mat to secure the organophilic clay and bacteria-containing geotextile mat therebetween, wherein one of the surrounding geotextile layers is unfilled.

A method of manufacturing a bioremediation geocomposite article comprising:

• laying geotextile fibers in a layer onto a first geotextile fabric;
• needlepunching or heat melting the geotextile fiber layer to secure the geotextile fiber layer to said geotextile fabric;
• contacting the needlepunched geotextile fiber layer with an organophilic clay and a bacteria to dispose the organophilic clay and bacteria within the needlepunched fiber layer in an amount such that open area remains in the geotextile layer for bacteria expansion;
• and
• securing adjacent geotextile layers to said organophilic clay and bacteria-containing geotextile mat to secure the organophilic clay and bacteria-containing geotextile mat therebetween, wherein one of the surrounding geotextile layers is unfilled.