Uses of hydrophobic aggregates and methods for performing those uses

Abstract

A method of mitigating the growth of roots comprising positioning at least one layer of hydrophobic sand adjacent said roots. In some embodiments the sand is positioned beneath the roots to preserve water and/or the sand includes a coating containing a compound containing aluminum.

1 . A method of mitigating the growth of roots comprising positioning at least one layer of hydrophobic sand adjacent said roots. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the at least one layers of sand is positioned below the roots. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , for mitigating the growth of roots, further comprising adding an aluminum containing compound to the sand prior to providing the sand layer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the aluminum containing compound is an aluminum oxide, aluminum silicate, aluminum hydroxide or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein two or more layers are used. 
     
     
         6 . A method of collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sand is located in a litter box. 
     
     
         8 . A method of aiding in the remediation of a non-polar contamination comprising adsorbing the non-polar contamination onto hydrophobic sand. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the non-polar contamination is in a wet environment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the non-polar contamination is a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sand is positioned in locations vulnerable to leaks. 
     
     
         12 . A method of aiding in extinguishing a fire on burning material by spreading hydrophobic sand on the burning material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the burning material is in a wet environment and the burning material is adsorbed onto the sand and drawn within the wet environment thereby cutting off sufficient oxygen for combustion. 
     
     
         14 . Uses of hydrophobic sand comprising at least one of the group consisting of: mitigating the growth of roots by providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine; aiding in the remediation of a non-polar contamination by adsorbing the non-polar contamination; and aiding in extinguishing a fire on burning material by spreading the hydrophobic sand on the burning material. 
     
     
         15 . The use of  claim 14 , for mitigating the growth of roots, comprising positioning one of the at least one layers of sand below the roots. 
     
     
         16 . The use of  claim 14 , for mitigating the growth of roots, further comprising adding an aluminum containing compound to the sand prior to providing the sand layer. 
     
     
         17 . The use of  claim 16 , wherein the aluminum containing compound is an aluminum oxide, aluminum silicate, aluminum hydroxide or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein collecting a urine sample entails using the hydrophobic sand as animal litter or a component of the litter. 
     
     
         19 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein aiding in the remediation of a non-polar contamination entails helping to contain the non-polar contamination. 
     
     
         20 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein aiding in the remediation of a non-polar contamination entails helping to collect the non-polar contamination. 
     
     
         21 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein the non-polar contamination is in a wet environment. 
     
     
         22 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein the non-polar contamination is a hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         23 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein the sand is positioned in locations vulnerable to leaks. 
     
     
         24 . The use of  claim 14 , wherein extinguishing the fire entails adsorbing burning material that is on top of a wet environment and drawing the material within the wet environment thereby cutting off sufficient oxygen for combustion.