Vertical barrier fencing for containing contaminated materials, and use thereof

Abstract

A system for separating contaminated materials from clean natural waterways and environmentally safe areas that thrive in wildlife breeding grounds, wetlands, marsh grass, natural vegetation, and wildlife habitats. The invention provides an effective and relatively inexpensive apparatus and process for hazardous material containment along shorelines, rivers, and estuaries (for maximum protection against contamination). Vertical erected fiber mesh filter fabric which allows clean water molecules to pass through but does not allow heavier/larger contaminated molecules to enter into uncontaminated areas, either from surface areas or subsurface areas. A floating boom acts as an oscillating scrub brush as tidal waters increase (rise) as well as an absorbent pad for the contaminated materials. One-way tidal doors allow juvenile sea life to naturally migrate to deeper safe havens with normal daily tidal changes.

1 . A barrier for containing one or more contaminated materials or preventing erosion, said barrier comprising
 a plurality of substantially vertical posts,   a filter fabric which allows clean water molecules to pass through, but does not allow contaminated molecules to pass through,   a floating boom which comprises a material which absorbs at least one of the contaminated materials to be contained,   wherein the filter fabric is supported by the vertical posts and   wherein the boom is attached to at least some of the vertical posts by boom lines.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a wire cloth backing to the fabric which is supported by the vertical posts. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein the vertical posts are spaced from 3 to 5 feet from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 1  further comprising angled support braces attached to at least some of the vertical posts and the braces are spaced from 10 to 20 feet apart from one another. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier of  claim 4 , wherein the vertical posts and braces are T-posts made of heavy gauge metal. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the boom is substantially cylindrical and the boom lines are of a length calculated to allow the boom to float on the water during normal tidal fluctuations and to remain in proximity to the filter fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical posts are implanted in a sea floor in an intertidal zone, wherein the filter fabric is reinforced by vinyl J-channels corresponding to the posts and wherein the boom lines are attached to the vertical posts near the sea floor. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tidal doors which allow seal life to migrate out to sea. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier of  claim 8 , wherein the tidal doors automatically open in one-direction only when the pressure is higher on the side of the barrier which is to be protected from the contaminated materials. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein the boom comprises a plurality of approximately 10 foot sections, has a diameter of 4 to 10 inches, and is attached to the boom lines near an axis so as to allow rotation of the boom as it contacts the filter fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier of  claim 2  further comprising angled support braces attached to at least some of the vertical posts and the braces are spaced from 10 to 20 feet apart from one another, wherein the boom is substantially cylindrical and the boom lines are of a length calculated to allow the boom to float on the water during normal tidal fluctuations and to remain in proximity to the filter fabric, wherein the vertical posts are implanted in a sea floor in an intertidal zone and extend at least 5 feet above the sea floor, wherein the vertical posts are spaced from 3 to 5 feet from one another, and wherein the boom lines are attached to the vertical posts near the sea floor. 
     
     
         12 . A method for containing one or more contaminated materials or preventing erosion, said method comprising installing the barrier of  claim 1  in proximity to a shoreline, river or estuary. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising installing the barrier in an intertidal zone, and wherein one of the contaminated materials is oil. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vertical posts are implanted in a sea floor in an intertidal zone, wherein the filter fabric extends from the sea floor to at least 5 feet above the sea floor and wherein the boom lines are attached to the vertical posts near the sea floor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the boom is substantially cylindrical and the boom lines are of a length calculated to allow the boom to float on the water during normal tidal fluctuations and to remain in proximity to the filter fabric so that the boom scrubs the filter fabric in an oscillating manner. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the barrier further comprising angled support braces attached to at least some of the vertical posts and the braces are spaced from 10 to 20 feet apart from one another, wherein the boom is substantially cylindrical and the boom lines are of a length calculated to allow the boom to float on the water during normal tidal fluctuations and to remain in proximity to the filter fabric, wherein the vertical posts are implanted in a sea floor in an intertidal zone, wherein the vertical posts are spaced from 3 to 5 feet from one another, and wherein the boom lines are attached to the vertical posts near the sea floor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the barrier further comprises a plurality of tidal doors which open during periods of outgoing tidal flow to allow seal life to migrate out to sea.