An aqueous modified acid composition for industrial activities, said composition comprising: an alkanolamine and strong acid in a molar ratio of not less than 1:15, preferably not less than 1:10; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, alkane fluid and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax and/or alkane fluid on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

An improved surface material is particularly suited for non-turf baseball field applications such as the pitcher's mound and base paths. The material generally comprises clay, wax, alkane fluid and sand and has a putty-like consistency. Cleats can penetrate the material but are not likely to pull it out in clumps upon removal of the cleats. Method for forming the surface includes spraying emulsified wax and/or alkane fluid on a surface and mixing it with the surface material.

The present invention provides a remediation method for degradation of cadmium in soil. The specific steps are as follows: step 1, determining the content of cadmium in the soil; step 2, crushing and sieving soil from a soil surface, and weighing; step 3, wetting the soil, and removing part of cadmium in the soil to obtain semi-remediated soil; step 4, mixing the semi-remediated soil with a remediation agent, and allowing to stand to obtain improved soil; and step 5, planting Bidens pilosa in the improved soil, and when a growing season is finished, uprooting, and ashing to obtain finished soil. The present invention utilizes anode and cathodes and a remediation agent to treat the cadmium contaminated soil, and plants Bidens pilosa in the soil to achieve a joint effect of electrodynamic remediation, chemical remediation, microbial remediation and phytoremediation to remediate the cadmium contaminated soil.

The present invention provides a remediation method for degradation of cadmium in soil. The specific steps are as follows: step 1, determining the content of cadmium in the soil; step 2, crushing and sieving soil from a soil surface, and weighing; step 3, wetting the soil, and removing part of cadmium in the soil to obtain semi-remediated soil; step 4, mixing the semi-remediated soil with a remediation agent, and allowing to stand to obtain improved soil; and step 5, planting Bidens pilosa in the improved soil, and when a growing season is finished, uprooting, and ashing to obtain finished soil. The present invention utilizes anode and cathodes and a remediation agent to treat the cadmium contaminated soil, and plants Bidens pilosa in the soil to achieve a joint effect of electrodynamic remediation, chemical remediation, microbial remediation and phytoremediation to remediate the cadmium contaminated soil.

Various examples are provided for in situ growth of subsurface structures using bioinspired mineralization. In one example, among others, a method for growth of a subsurface structure includes introducing a first aqueous mineral salt reactant and a second aqueous mineral salt reactant comprising a polymeric additive into a soil substrate. The first and second aqueous mineral salt reactants can combine to form a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) phase that initiates in situ mineralization in the soil substrate. Solidifying the mineralization can form a subsurface structure in the soil substrate. Multiple applications of aqueous mineral salt reactants can be introduced to adjust the thickness of the mineralization or for layers of coatings.

Various examples are provided for in situ growth of subsurface structures using bioinspired mineralization. In one example, among others, a method for growth of a subsurface structure includes introducing a first aqueous mineral salt reactant and a second aqueous mineral salt reactant comprising a polymeric additive into a soil substrate. The first and second aqueous mineral salt reactants can combine to form a polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) phase that initiates in situ mineralization in the soil substrate. Solidifying the mineralization can form a subsurface structure in the soil substrate. Multiple applications of aqueous mineral salt reactants can be introduced to adjust the thickness of the mineralization or for layers of coatings.

An aqueous modified acid composition for industrial activities, said composition comprising: an alkanolamine and strong acid in a molar ratio of not less than 1:15, preferably not less than 1:10; it can also further comprise a metal iodide or iodate. Said composition demonstrates advantages over known conventional acids and modified acids.