The Ohio State University

Parwinder S Grewal

Hanbae Yang

Edward L McCoy

Warren A Dick

An anaerobic to aerobic sequence enhances biological degradation of many organic pollutants. Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for effective treatment of storm-water runoff pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrates, phosphorus, and heavy metals using sediment filtration and adsorption, and biochemical processes under bi-phasic bioretention conditions. By integrating these pollution cleanup pro-usages into a single unit, this apparatus optimizes retention time of the runoff through the system and maximizes removal rates of runoff pollutants, resulting in more reliable and efficient treatment mechanism than previous systems.

Bi-phasic bioretention system

Methods for protecting plants from insects are provided. Such methods comprise: applying a formulation comprising partially-desiccated nematodes and a carrier to plant surfaces growing above the surface of the ground (i.e., foliage). Such formulations have a water activity (Aw) of which is less then 0.998 and greater than 0.935. The carrier comprises water and a substance which maintains the water activity of the formulation at levels of from about 0.980 Aw to about 0.940 Aw for a period of 24 hours when the formulation is exposed to air at 70% relative humidity and 25&#xb0; C. In one embodiment, the carrier is a solution or gel comprising water and a water-retentive polymer. In another embodiment, the carrier is a solution which comprises water and a humectant. In a further embodiment, the formulation comprises both a water-retentive polymer and a humectant. Preferably, the formulation further comprises an ultraviolet (UV) light protectant. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the formulations that are used in such methods.

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Wooster, OH, United States of America

Parwinder S Grewal