Aboveground Modular, Permeable Reactive Barrier System for Rainfall Runoff Treatment

Abstract

A method for the treatment of liquid runoff, such as rainfall or irrigation runoff, to prevent the transportation of solutes. The method comprises permeable reactive barriers constructed to be permeable to rainfall runoff streams, and to effectively contact the stream with the contained media to facilitate removal of solutes from the runoff stream. Said method of rainfall runoff treatment is easily deployed in a variety of settings and easily maintained over long periods of time.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A system of treating liquid runoff to prevent transportation of solutes dissolved in a liquid runoff stream, comprising: multiple modular containers of media placed in the flow path of a liquid runoff stream to form a permeable barrier that removes solutes from the liquid runoff stream while allowing relatively unimpeded flow of the liquid stream through said permeable barrier, said containers constructed to permit intra-container fluid flow and intra-container contact between the liquid runoff stream and said media.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said containers are comprised of an outer netting material, said netting material having apertures small enough to contain said media; and said media contained in said netting in such a way that said containers are sufficiently pliable to conform to irregular surfaces, such as a ground surface.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said containers are comprised of means for securing said containers to other containers or to a fixed surface such as the ground.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said means for securing said containers comprises holes of sufficient strength to facilitate securing of said containers with devices such as ropes, straps, hooks, or stakes.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said means for securing said containers comprises straps fixed to the containers.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to one of claims  2 - 6  or  8 - 10  wherein the media comprises clinoptilolite.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein the solute comprises ammonia or ammomum.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the modular containers are shaped so as to substantially eliminate any gaps, holes or voids between them.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the permeable barrier is substantially planar relative to the direction of the flow path of the liquid runoff stream.  
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein each of the modular containers forming the permeable barrier has a substantially planar face relative to the direction of the flow path of the liquid runoff stream.