Trailing Hose System for Aquatic Ecosystem Liquid and Granular Materials Application

Abstract

A trailing hose system is disclosed for the application of materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) in a water body. The trailing hose or hoses release the material (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) at the desired depth within the water column. The current technology for the subsurface application of these materials is surface injection, granular spreaders, and the use of weighted hoses deployed from a vessel (boat). Surface injection of these materials below the thermocline, or to the bottom of a water body in sufficient concentrations to control the target pest, to deactivate nutrients, and or enhance water quality is required in the industry. The current technology that utilizes the use of weighted hose is cumbersome, and is a slow process that allows for the application of these materials at approximately 1-2 miles per hour.

1 : Process for the application of materials (pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) in a water body from a floating disposition on the water surface comprising:
 a vessel for water born support of the apparatus;   a material pumping or feeding system on said vessel where the materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) are metered or rate controlled into the trailing hose system;   means for releasing and retrieving said trailing hose or hoses to various depths within the water column via manual or mechanical means;   
   
   
       2 : Process for the application of materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) in a water body from a floating disposition on the water surface according to  claim 1  and wherein:
 said means for releasing and retrieving said trailing hose or hoses includes a manual or automatic hose reel;   
   
   
       3 : Process for the application of materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) in a water body from a floating disposition on the water surface according to  claim 2  and wherein:
 said materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) can be applied at various water depths within a water body;   
   
   
       4 : Process for the application of materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) in a water body from a floating disposition on the water surface according to  claim 3  and wherein:
 providing a vessel for water born support of said apparatus;   providing a material pumping or feeding system on said vessel to discharge the materials (liquid or granular pesticides, nutrient inactivation, water quality improvement compounds) into the trailing hose or hoses at a specific rate   A vessel mounted system is disclosed for the application of the materials through the trailing hose or hoses for the control of aquatic vegetation, algae, fish, mussels, nutrients fluctuations, other invasive and non invasive species, and water quality enhancements.