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Environmental interactions of Sulphlex pavement
R W Ferenbaugh1, E S Gladney, L F Soholt
1Environmental Protection Group (MS K490), Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Sulphlex, a sulfur-based asphalt substitute, can be degraded by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. This breakdown impacts pavement integrity and harms plant life in amended soils.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Materials science
- Soil science
Background:
- Sulphlex, a mixture of elemental sulfur and plasticizers, is a potential asphalt substitute in road construction.
- Its high elemental sulfur content makes it a potential substrate for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of Sulphlex to microbial degradation by Thiobacillus thiooxidans.
- To assess the impact of Sulphlex breakdown products on plant productivity in amended soils.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of Sulphlex in media with Thiobacillus thiooxidans to observe degradation.
- Cultivation of plants in Sulphlex-amended soils to evaluate growth and productivity.
Main Results:
- Degradation of Sulphlex material by Thiobacillus thiooxidans was observed, with concurrent acid production.
- Plants grown in Sulphlex-amended soils showed increased sulfur content and reduced productivity.
- Evidence suggests Sulphlex breakdown products negatively affect plant growth.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring sulfur-oxidizing bacteria can degrade Sulphlex paving material.
- Sulphlex degradation poses risks to pavement structural integrity and the local environment.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term ecological impacts.