Combinations of a nitroprusside, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP; Na.sub.2[Fe(CN).sub.5NO].2H.sub.2O) and a nitrate, are provided, together with methods for the combined use of the nitroprusside and the nitrate as metabolic inhibitors of microbial cultures. The microbial cultures may include sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) in aqueous culture. This metabolic inhibition may for example be implemented in the presence of a hydrocarbon, for example in an oil reservoir or in oil field systems and facilities. When applied to an SRB culture in the presence of a hydrocarbon, the combination of the nitroprusside and the nitrate may accordingly be used to ameliorate the biological formation of sulfides, particularly hydrogen sulfide.

Combinations of a nitroprusside, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP; Na.sub.2[Fe(CN).sub.5NO].2H.sub.2O) and a nitrate, are provided, together with methods for the combined use of the nitroprusside and the nitrate as metabolic inhibitors of microbial cultures. The microbial cultures may include sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) in aqueous culture. This metabolic inhibition may for example be implemented in the presence of a hydrocarbon, for example in an oil reservoir or in oil field systems and facilities. When applied to an SRB culture in the presence of a hydrocarbon, the combination of the nitroprusside and the nitrate may accordingly be used to ameliorate the biological formation of sulfides, particularly hydrogen sulfide.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and either one or both of sodium thiocyanate and titanium dioxide. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Hydrogen cyanamide (HyCyn) is a product derived from calcium cyanamide. Three decades ago HyCyn became commercially available as a plant growth regulator. Sprayed on dormant plants, it provides uniform bud-break. This present invention provides repeatable methods for using aqueous HyCyn, and other similar water-soluble low molecular weight cyanamide or nitrile containing compounds, as stand-alone biocides. Qualities include: safer delivery to field settings, fewer environmental impacts and predictable plant growth improvement. HyCyn with its systemic qualities can act as a fertilizer, desiccant, nematicide, fungicide, herbicide, growth regulator and an agent of enzyme inactivation. These biocidal and other effects appear to be a result of double or triple bonds connecting carbon with nitrogen, and therefore it is expected that other water-soluble low molecular weight compounds having carbon-nitrogen double or triple bonds can act similarly. Today's improved irrigation methods will replace soil fumigation in many settings. All its metabolites, properly delivered, make plants grow better.

Hydrogen cyanamide (HyCyn) is a product derived from calcium cyanamide. Three decades ago HyCyn became commercially available as a plant growth regulator. Sprayed on dormant plants, it provides uniform bud-break. This present invention provides repeatable methods for using aqueous HyCyn, and other similar water-soluble low molecular weight cyanamide or nitrile containing compounds, as stand-alone biocides. Qualities include: safer delivery to field settings, fewer environmental impacts and predictable plant growth improvement. HyCyn with its systemic qualities can act as a fertilizer, desiccant, nematicide, fungicide, herbicide, growth regulator and an agent of enzyme inactivation. These biocidal and other effects appear to be a result of double or triple bonds connecting carbon with nitrogen, and therefore it is expected that other water-soluble low molecular weight compounds having carbon-nitrogen double or triple bonds can act similarly. Today's improved irrigation methods will replace soil fumigation in many settings. All its metabolites, properly delivered, make plants grow better.

Hydrogen cyanamide (HyCyn) is a product derived from calcium cyanamide. Three decades ago HyCyn became commercially available as a plant growth regulator. Sprayed on dormant plants, it provides uniform bud-break. This present invention provides repeatable methods for using aqueous HyCyn, and other similar water-soluble low molecular weight cyanamide or nitrile containing compounds, as stand-alone biocides. Qualities include: safer delivery to field settings, fewer environmental impacts and predictable plant growth improvement. HyCyn with its systemic qualities can act as a fertilizer, desiccant, nematicide, fungicide, herbicide, growth regulator and an agent of enzyme inactivation. These biocidal and other effects appear to be a result of double or triple bonds connecting carbon with nitrogen, and therefore it is expected that other water-soluble low molecular weight compounds having carbon-nitrogen double or triple bonds can act similarly. Today's improved irrigation methods will replace soil fumigation in many settings. All its metabolites, properly delivered, make plants grow better.