Exploring the potential of using crushed brick products in green infrastructures for environmental remediation

预计到2050年，约64%的发展中国家和86%的发达国家将实现城市化。城市化如果管理不当，会造成一系列环境问题，如洪水和由于不透水地面比例增加而造成的地表水污染。绿色基础设施，如绿色屋顶和雨水花园， 越来越多地安装在城市中，以实现环境效益，如雨水管理，减少洪水，防止污染物被冲入地表沃茨。 然而，缺乏专门设计的基质来保持水和养分，特别是水污染物磷（P）。Mar-Co Clay Products Inc（Mar-Co）专门生产、分销和设计粘土基产品（例如，碎砖）用于定制的运动场，尤其是棒球场。我们之前的研究 结果表明，一些破碎砖产品具有去除和保留P的能力，并且保留或排出水，这取决于这些产品的颗粒尺寸和其他化学和物理性质。该项目将表征现有Mar-Co不同产品的化学和物理特性，并基于Mar-Co现有的生产技术和能力开发新产品。目标是使Mar-Co成为绿色基础设施行业基质需求的领先材料供应公司，特别是水和养分管理，即环境修复。

It is projected that by 2050 about 64% of the developing and 86% of the developed world will be urbanized. Urbanization, if not managed properly, can create an array of environmental issues, such as flooding and surface water pollution due to increases in the proportion of impermeable surfaces. Green infrastructures, such as green roofs and rain gardens, have been increasingly installed in cities for environmental benefits, such as storm water management, which reduces flooding and prevents pollutants from being washed into surface waters. However, there is a shortage of specifically engineered substrates for the retention of water and nutrients, especially the water pollutant phosphorous (P). Mar-Co Clay Products Inc. (Mar-Co) is specialized in producing, distributing, and designing clay-based products (e.g., crushed bricks) for customized sports fields, especially baseball fields. Our previous research showed that some crushed brick products have the capability of removing and retaining P, and retaining or draining water, depending on the particle sizes and other chemical and physical properties of these products. This project will characterize the chemical and physical properties of different existing Mar-Co products, and develop new products based on Mar-Cos existing production technology and capacity. The objective is to enable Mar-Co to become a leading material supply company for the substrate needs of the green infrastructure industry, especially for water and nutrient management, namely environmental remediation.