ecoplus is an organic solution to chemical and hydrocarbon spills and has specifically been developed to facilitate natural on-site bio-remediation, effectively absorb hydrocarbons and to prevent these contaminants from leaching into the ground water.

This method of dealing with spills is simple, efficient and cost effective but being natural (as opposed to a chemical solution) does take time - a realistic time frame for complete bio-remediation is 1,5 to 3 months.

Testing was conducted by Inspectorate M & L (the British Standards Institute) an independently accredited testing laboratory.

Test Methodology

Three equal samples of soil were uniformly contaminated with 5 % hydrocarbons and then mixed with ecoplus in the following ratios.

Sample 1 - 1 (ecoplus): 3 (Hydrocarbon)
Sample 2 - 1 (ecoplus): 2 (Hydrocarbon)
Sample 3 - 1 (ecoplus): 1 (Hydrocarbon)

As ecoplus is used to facilitate on-site bio-remediation, conditions were simulated to be as close as possible to moderate natural conditions.

The contaminated ecoplus/Soil was watered twice within the first 2 weeks (as recommended in our application suggestions). This provides the medium for the micro-organisms to effectively reach all hydrocarbons and also allows the micro-organisms to multiply.

The contaminated earth was turned/plowed within the first 2 weeks (as recommended in our application instructions). This oxygenates the ground and allows the micro-organisms to proliferate. The samples were watered once per week thereafter to simulate natural rainfall.

The abovementioned application suggestions are recommended in order to achieve the best results in the shortest time. If simply plowed in and left, however with no watering or turning, Mother Nature will take a little longer i.e. the ecoplus would activate when it rains etc.

Measurement

Readings were taken at the following intervals (after contamination and treatment with ecoplus):
0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56 and 120 days - interim trends were extrapolated and averaged out.

At each interval the following was measured:

• The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) was measured to determine the decrease in TPH over time. The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons are measured using Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. The TPH is a measure of the amount of hydrocarbons present in the soil.
• Total Plate Counts were taken to determine the levels of micro- organisms (life) in the soil.
• The specific moisture levels in each sample were taken so that the above results could be determined on a dry basis for comparative purposes.

TCLP (leachate) testing was also done to determine that the hydrocarbons would not leach and contaminate ground water.

CHEMTAUR TEST REPORT: ecoplus

Note:
DB: Dry Basis
The number after 'BS-' is the day(s) after treatment
Samples signified 'A' is treated soil, the ratio of treatment equals 1:3 Bio-sorb:Contamination
Samples signified 'B' is treated soil, the ratio of treatment equals 1:2 Bio-sorb:Contamination
Samples signified 'C' is treated soil, the ratio of treatment equals 1:1 Bio-sorb:Contamination
Untested weeks averaged to correct graph's x-axis

ecoplus activity Micro-organism activity after treatment

ecoplus activity Total Pertoleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) levels overtime

Comments on Test Results

The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) (on a comparative dry basis) have decreased significantly from an average of 57 506 ppm to an average of 6580 ppm. This represents a 90% reduction over the 120 days that the tests were conducted with most of the reduction (85%) having occurred by day 56.

Plate counts represent the level of micro-organisms (life) in the soil. As can be seen the average plate counts (on a comparative dry basis) increased from an average of 8 million to an average of 2.63 billion before dropping off to an average of 289 million.

Conclusion

ecoplus is a natural solution to a chemical problem. When ecoplus was first applied to the contaminated soil, and water was added the micro-organisms were activated. They began to multiply rapidly due to the presence of soil, water, oxygen, light (energy), hydrocarbons and the macro and micro elements found in ecoplus. As the micro-organisms multiplied they metabolized the hydrocarbons. Consequently the levels of hydrocarbon and nutrients began to dwindle due to utilization by the micro-organisms. Eventually this resulted in a reduction in the populations of micro-organisms as there was no longer a food source to sustain them. This cycle is clearly shown in the graph - Total Plate Count vs. Time.

The hydrocarbons are metabolized to Carbon Dioxide and H20 under aerobic conditions or Methane (CH4) and H20 under anaerobic conditions.

It is important to remember that as this natural solution uses organisms to bio-remediate hydrocarbon spills, the degree and speed of bio-remediation will be determined by the availability of the following factors:

• Water
• Light/Energy
• Availability of oxygen
• Nutrients (ecoplus)
• Micro-organisms (ecoplus)
• Host (Soil and ecoplus)

For example should ecoplus be applied to a spill in the desert, bio-remediation would take longer (unless watered) due to the fact that natural rainfall is scarce. By the same token should ecoplus be applied to a spill in sub zero weather conditions the micro-organisms would replicate slowly due to the low availability of sunlight/energy.

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