METHOD FOR RESTORING ACIDIC OR SODIC ALKALI SOILS IN A CONTAMINATED SITE

Abstract

A method for restoring a contaminated site comprising the steps of: undertaking a primary amendment of a contaminated site with a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 5% of the contaminated site by area; undertaking a secondary amendment of the contaminated site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 20% of the contaminated site by area, and undertaking a tertiary amendment of the contaminated site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 75% of the contaminated site by area, wherein the contaminated site is a contaminated site that has excessive acidity, alkalinity and/or sodic contamination, and wherein the primary amendment, the secondary amendment and the tertiary amendment of the contaminated site are each conducted at least once and wherein the outcome of those amendments is the improved capacity of the soil of the contaminated site to balance hydrogen compounds such that excessive acidity, alkalinity or sodic properties of the contaminated site are ameliorated.

Claims

1. A method for restoring a contaminated site comprising the steps of: (a) Undertaking a primary amendment of a contaminated site with a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 5% of the contaminated site by area; (b) Undertaking a secondary amendment of the contaminated site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 20% of the contaminated site by area; and (c) Undertaking a tertiary amendment of the contaminated site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst, wherein the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site such that a matrix of biological energy generation points are constructed on about 75% of the contaminated site by area, wherein the contaminated site is a site that has excessive acidity, alkalinity and/or sodic contamination, and wherein the primary amendment, the secondary amendment and the tertiary amendment of the contaminated site are each conducted at least once.

2. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the contaminated site amended during the secondary amendment of the contaminated site may include the at least a portion of the contaminated site amended during the primary amendment of the contaminated site.

3. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the contaminated site amended during the tertiary amendment of the contaminated site may include the at least a portion of the contaminated site amended during the primary amendment and the secondary amendment of the contaminated site.

4. A method for restoring a contaminated site n according to claim 1, wherein the first catalyst comprises a humified soil prepared from continuous fermentation of an organic material and the second catalyst comprises a liquid fertiliser prepared from continuous fermentation of an organic material.

5. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein a total amount of the first catalyst applied during the primary amendment, the second amendment, and the tertiary amendment is at least 400 kilograms per hectare annually and a total amount of the second catalyst applied during the primary amendment, the second amendment, and the tertiary amendment is at least 5 litres per hectare annually.

6. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein the method constructs a matrix of biological energy generation points on the amended contaminated site, wherein the matrix of biological energy generation points is sufficient to facilitate on-going capacity of soil to balance hydrogen compounds.

7. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the primary amendment, the second amendment, or the tertiary amendment further comprises applying a third catalyst to at least a portion of the contaminated site.

8. A method for restoring a contaminated site according to claim 1, wherein the tertiary amendment of the contaminated site further comprises circulation of a liquid generated by biological hydrosynthesis in and/or on the amended contaminated site.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0057] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional space defined as a site according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0059] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for restoring a contaminated site according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0060] In FIG. 1, a three-dimensional space defined as a site 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Site 100 may be defined as being a three-dimensional space which includes the surface of the soil 10, the contiguous atmosphere above the soil 12 and the three-dimensional area of the soil below the surface of the soil 14. In use it is envisaged that the first catalyst (not shown) and the second catalyst (not shown) may be applied to at least a portion of the site 100, wherein the at least a portion of the site 100 may include the surface of the soil 10, the contiguous atmosphere above the soil 12 and the three dimensional area of the soil below the surface of the soil 14. For instance, the catalysts (not shown) may be applied to the site 100 as a spray, wherein the liquid droplets may be dispersed through the contiguous atmosphere above the soil 12 and onto the soil surface 10 where they subsequently migrate into or, are tilled into, the soil body 14. In this way, it is envisaged that applying the first catalyst and the second catalyst to at least a portion of the site constructs a matrix of biological energy generation points in and/or on the site.

[0061] In FIG. 2 there is shown a flowchart of a method for restoring a contaminated site 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] During a primary amendment of the contaminated site, the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site 20. Preferably, the at least a portion of the contaminated site to be amended during primary amendment may be randomly selected. It is envisaged that the first catalyst and the second catalyst will be thinly and randomly spread during the primary amendment of the contaminated site, such that it results in a random distribution of the catalysts across the contaminated site, wherein each contact point between the catalysts and the soil becomes a biological energy generation point. Preferably, the application of the catalysts across the contaminated site during the primary amendment constructs a matrix of biological energy generation points on about 5% of the contaminated site by area.

[0063] During a secondary amendment of the contaminated site, the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site 30. Preferably, the at least a portion of the contaminated site to be amended during secondary amendment includes the portion of the contaminated site amended during the primary amendment of the contaminated site. It is envisaged that each contact point between the catalysts and the soil becomes a biological energy generation point. Preferably, the application of the catalysts across the contaminated site during the secondary amendment constructs a matrix of biological energy generation points on about 20% of the contaminated site by area.

[0064] During a tertiary amendment of the contaminated site, the first catalyst and the second catalyst are applied to at least a portion of the contaminated site 40. Preferably, the at least a portion of the contaminated site to be amended during tertiary amendment includes the portion of the contaminated site amended during the primary amendment and the secondary amendment of the contaminated site. It is envisaged that each contact point between the catalysts and the soil becomes a biological energy generation point. Preferably, the application of the catalysts across the contaminated site during the tertiary amendment constructs a matrix of biological energy generation points on about 75% of the contaminated site by area.

[0065] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0066] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0067] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

CITATION LIST

[0068] Kenneth Bellamy, ‘Photosynthesis: Fixing carbon and making water’ (2009)<https://nanopdf.com/download/photosynthesis-fixing-carbon-and-making-water-6co2-12h2o_pdf>.