The development of geotextiles incorporating slow-release phosphate beads for the maintenance of oil degrading bacteria in permeable pavements.
The development of a self-fertilising geotextile mat designed to provide a sustained slow-release of required inorganic nutrients for the growth of oil degrading microorganisms in porous pavement systems (PPS) is reported. The system comprises a geotextile spun from polymer fibres containing spherical phosphated polymer beads that release phosphate upon contact with water at a desirable level for microbial growth. Initial results using model PPS have shown that the self-fertilising geotextile system works extremely effectively as increased microbial activity has been observed throughout the experiment, illustrating that the oil-degrading bacteria can effectively utilise this polymer composite as a suitable nutrient source.
Spicer
G E
GE
School of Science and the Environment, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK. g.spicer@coventry.ac.uk
Lynch
D E
DE
Coupe
S J
SJ
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005648:Fuel Oils; D010539:Permeability; D010710:Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011891:Rain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D005648:Fuel Oils; D010710:Phosphates; D011108:Polymers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical