This invention provides, among other things, an aquaponics system which comprises two tanks made of a lightweight, collapsible material. The first tank is configured to hold a volume of water sufficient to raise aquatic animals. The second tank is configured to hold a volume of planting medium that is suitable for growing crops. The aquaponics system of the invention is more easily assembled, disassembled, and transported compared to other aquaponics systems.

Methods for promoting plant growth based on novel photosafening treatment regimes with glycopyranosides including glycopyranosylglycopyranosides, and aryl--D-glycopyranosides, and more specifically, with one or more compounds comprising terminal mannosyl-triose, optionally in the presence of light enhanced by one or more light reflecting and/or refracting members such as silicon-based substrates. Furthermore, chemical synthesis processes for the above compounds are disclosed for general application to plants. Silicate microbeads of the like are distributed over the ground or substrate in which roots of a plant are supported and planted, beneath and around a plant in a manner that light is refracted or reflected toward the phylloplane.

A vertical substrate comprised of a gel on a wire or mesh scaffolding may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity and/or adherence to the scaffolding. Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the substrate.

A vertical substrate comprised of a gel on a wire or mesh scaffolding may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity and/or adherence to the scaffolding. Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the substrate.

The present disclosure provides a seeding formulation for woody plants and a pre-treatment of surfaces (e.g. rocks, waste rocks, tailings, overburden) on disturbed and degraded lands. The seeding formulation includes a mix of woody trees or shrubs seeds, organic mulch, beneficial microbial populations, mineral fertilizer, adhesive, absorbent polymer, and water. The pre-treatment of surfaces refers to the spreading or mixing of surfaces with organic biomass. Methods of preparing and applying the seeding formulation and pre-treatment are also disclosed. The formulation is used for the phytoremediation, ecological restoration, land reclamation, environmental rehabilitation, revitalization, revegetation, and reforestation of disturbed and degraded lands.

The present disclosure provides a seeding formulation for woody plants and a pre-treatment of surfaces (e.g. rocks, waste rocks, tailings, overburden) on disturbed and degraded lands. The seeding formulation includes a mix of woody trees or shrubs seeds, organic mulch, beneficial microbial populations, mineral fertilizer, adhesive, absorbent polymer, and water. The pre-treatment of surfaces refers to the spreading or mixing of surfaces with organic biomass. Methods of preparing and applying the seeding formulation and pre-treatment are also disclosed. The formulation is used for the phytoremediation, ecological restoration, land reclamation, environmental rehabilitation, revitalization, revegetation, and reforestation of disturbed and degraded lands.

Methods for promoting plant growth based on novel photosafening treatment regimes with glycopyranosides including glycopyranosylglycopyranosides, and aryl-a-D-glycopyranosides, and more specifically, with one or more compounds comprising terminal mannosyl-triose, optionally in the presence of light enhanced by one or more light reflecting and/or refracting members such as silicon-based substrates. Furthermore, chemical synthesis processes for the above compounds are disclosed for general application to plants. Silicate microbeads of the like are distributed over the ground or substrate in which roots of a plant are supported and planted, beneath and around a plant in a manner that light is refracted or reflected toward the phylloplane.

The present invention relates to lightweight fine ceramic particulates, directly obtained from fly ash, their use in different technical fields and building material compositions comprising the same.

Lightweight fine ceramic particulates, especially sintered synthetic sand, as disclosed herein are characterized in that the grading of the particulates is as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Sieve size (mm) 2 1 0.5 0.25 Passing (mass-%) >98 55 to 80 30 to 45 2 to 4

Disclosed is further the use of lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention as aggregate for construction purposes, especially in combination with fly ash.

Lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention are further used as additive in paint or coating formulations, as foundry sand, additive for waste water treatment, substrate for horticultural purposes, for hydroponic gardening, for green roofing purposes or for applications in geotechnics.

Disclosed are also building material compositions in form of mortar or concrete, comprising the lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention.

The lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention, and especially the building material compositions derived from them, are advantageous in respect to superior quality and workability, sound insulation and sustainability from internal curing.

Disclosed are methods of producing nutrient solutions having unique isotopic fingerprints; methods of producing traceable plants; and methods of identifying the source of a traceable plant that does not rely on expensive artificially separated isotopes. Plants grown with these nutrient solutions will have unique isotopic fingerprints that will be difficult or impossible to counterfeit.

Disclosed are methods of producing nutrient solutions having unique isotopic fingerprints; methods of producing traceable plants; and methods of identifying the source of a traceable plant that does not rely on expensive artificially separated isotopes. Plants grown with these nutrient solutions will have unique isotopic fingerprints that will be difficult or impossible to counterfeit.