Chinese scientists have developed a kind of "solid water" that can
be used for planting trees in deserts.
Ninety-seven percent of the "solid water" is actual water, while
the rest 3 percent is a kind of macromolecular polymer extracted
from animals and plants, according to Dr. Wu Yunxiang, a researcher
from the Shenyang Senlu Solid Water Company.
The "solid water", which is packed in degradable paper, is not
pollutive and can be placed deep in the earth together with the
root of plant. With the help of microbe, the "solid water" is
gradually dissolved to irrigate the root of plant.
The amount of "solid water" to be used depends on the size and the
period of survival of a certain plant, the expert said.
The water-efficient technology could be widely used in
afforestation in deserts as well as in cities.
The invention has passed the official approval by the city
government and received a patent from the State Intellectual
Property Office.
Moreover, the Ministry of Science and Technology has allocated
650,000 yuan from its fund for small technology ventures to finance
the project.
According to the expert, the use of solid water for afforestation
in deserts is a little more expensive than traditional ways, but if
it is used on a larger-scale, the cost could be reduced.
(Xinhua News
Agency May 23, 2002)