A method is described for improving water retention in soil, which involves mixing a super absorbing resin (SAR) composite with the soil. The SAR composite comprises a natural pozzolan and at least one polymer or copolymer. The SAR composite may be in the form of granules having an average longest dimension of 0.2-10 mm, though the SAR composite may be pelletized or formed in other sizes. The SAR composite may release water at a faster rate in a soil when exposed to drought conditions.

A method is described for improving water retention in soil, which involves mixing a super absorbing resin (SAR) composite with the soil. The SAR composite comprises a natural pozzolan and at least one polymer or copolymer. The SAR composite may be in the form of granules having an average longest dimension of 0.2-10 mm, though the SAR composite may be pelletized or formed in other sizes. The SAR composite may release water at a faster rate in a soil when exposed to drought conditions.

The present invention provides a soil heavy metal curing agent for controlling accumulation of heavy metals of crops and its preparation method. The curing agent is made from the following parts of raw materials by weight: 60˜140 parts of substance containing carbon-carbon double bond; 1˜400 parts of sulfo-compound by sulfur; 50˜500 parts of organic matter by 10% water content; 0˜400 parts of water; 0˜100 parts of an initiator; 0˜200 parts of a reducer; and 0˜200 parts of a strong base. The curing agent for heavy metals in the soil according to the present invention can reduce the cadmium, lead and mercury content in the soil and further greatly reduce the roots' absorption of these heavy metals.

The present invention provides a soil heavy metal curing agent for controlling accumulation of heavy metals of crops and its preparation method. The curing agent is made from the following parts of raw materials by weight: 60˜140 parts of substance containing carbon-carbon double bond; 1˜400 parts of sulfo-compound by sulfur; 50˜500 parts of organic matter by 10% water content; 0˜400 parts of water; 0˜100 parts of an initiator; 0˜200 parts of a reducer; and 0˜200 parts of a strong base. The curing agent for heavy metals in the soil according to the present invention can reduce the cadmium, lead and mercury content in the soil and further greatly reduce the roots' absorption of these heavy metals.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method for capturing material extracted from biochar is provided comprising the steps of: (i) providing a biochar; (ii) contacting the biochar with an extraction media, where the extraction media causes the removal of residual compounds from the pores and surface of the biochar, creating a resulting extract comprised of the extraction media and removed compounds; and (iii) collecting the resulting extract. The method also can include other steps of extraction and purification. The method further comprises the step of applying the resulting extract to seeds, plants, soil, other agricultural products, or for use in other applications. A biochar having high levels of soluble signaling compounds is also provided, where the biochar is derived from a biomass source that together with predefined pyrolysis parameters produces resulting biochar having increased levels of soluble signaling compounds that are known to increase seed germination rates and early plant growth. Such soluble signaling compounds can then be collected in a biochar extract by contacting the biochar with an extraction media.

A method is described for improving water retention in soil, which involves mixing a super absorbing resin (SAR) composite with the soil. The SAR composite comprises a natural pozzolan and at least one polymer or copolymer. The SAR composite may be in the form of granules having an average longest dimension of 0.2-10 mm, though the SAR composite may be pelletized or formed in other sizes. The SAR composite may release water at a faster rate in a soil when exposed to drought conditions.

A method is described for improving water retention in soil, which involves mixing a super absorbing resin (SAR) composite with the soil. The SAR composite comprises a natural pozzolan and at least one polymer or copolymer. The SAR composite may be in the form of granules having an average longest dimension of 0.2-10 mm, though the SAR composite may be pelletized or formed in other sizes. The SAR composite may release water at a faster rate in a soil when exposed to drought conditions.

A method for treating an environmental medium is disclosed. A heat source with a heat exchanger is provided aboveground in proximity to the environmental medium to be treated. A mixture is heated to a temperature below a boiling point of the mixture. The mixture consists of a vegetable oil, an emulsifier, and water. The heated mixture and an alkaline compound catalyst are introduced into the contaminated environmental medium. The alkaline compound is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The alkaline compound is dissolved in an alcohol in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% of the alkaline compound to form an alkyl oxide solution.

A method for treating an environmental medium is disclosed. A heat source with a heat exchanger is provided aboveground in proximity to the environmental medium to be treated. A mixture is heated to a temperature below a boiling point of the mixture. The mixture consists of a vegetable oil, an emulsifier, and water. The heated mixture and an alkaline compound catalyst are introduced into the contaminated environmental medium. The alkaline compound is potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The alkaline compound is dissolved in an alcohol in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% of the alkaline compound to form an alkyl oxide solution.