EILEEN KEANE, a science teacher at the Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co Kerry, has been presented with the merit award of the International Erosion Control Association for her research in this field.
Keane, from Castlegregory, Co Kerry, says she was very surprised to win. "It was a real honour to be there, as I was the only Irish person to receive an award." The annual award recognises the improvement of national environmental quality through sound soil conservation and land management practices and policies, and Keane won it for a new method of hydroseeding, using materials from common seaweed.
She developed a refined seaweed gel, which can be used on steep slopes to protect grass seeds and soil from the erosive effects of winds and water, and to assist in germination, as part of her work on her MSc.
She also developed a seaweed-based mulch and one from sewage to protect seedling growth on sandy and rocky sites.
She is working on the MSc part-time under the direction of Dr Henry Lyons of Tralee RTC, who is himself well-known for his pioneering research on seaweed. A graduate of the University of Limerick, she says that her Junior and Leaving Cert biology pupils will be learning about hydroseeding as part of their biology course.
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