Abstract: Materials inoculated with cyanobacteria are used to reclaim land. Methods and apparatus for making and disseminating cyanobacteria inoculants are disclosed. A thin-film growth method may be used to grow the cyanobacteria directly on a substrate material. Alternatively, the cyanobacteria may be grown separately, followed by application to the substrate material. Pieces of the inoculated substrate material are disseminated on soil. Upon contact with water, the cyanobacteria transform from a dormant stage to an active stage, and act to bind particles of the soil together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 4, 1999
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2001
Assignee:
Engineering Technology, Incorporated
Inventors:
Michael A. Riley, Michael J. Orr, Jeffrey R. Johansen