abstract |
The invention provides contaminant-reducing agent delivery compositions that are useful for the control of organic or inorganic contaminants in aquatic or terrestrial environments. The compositions comprise one or more superabsorbent solid organic polymers and at least one contaminant-reducing agent. These superabsorbent polymers act as the primary carriers of one or more contaminant-reducing agents effective for the control of organic or inorganic contaminants in aquatic or terrestrial environments. Contaminant-reducing agents include film-forming agents, microbial agents, nutrient agents, and mixtures thereof. The invention also provides a method to entrap and accumulate organic and inorganic contaminants in one or more superabsorbent polymer compositions containing no contaminant-reducing agent. The invention also provides a method to entrap water in superabsorbent polymers to activate natural and applied microbial and nutrient contaminant-reducing agents in terrestrial environments. |