378 Ecological Sustainability
and octadecanol (at ca. 5% each), which when applied forms a polar, mono-
molecular layer on the water surface. The powder is self-spreading, and the
molecules arrange themselves in a tight monolayer. If the monolayer is inter-
rupted by wind, waves, boat wakes, and so forth, it will spontaneously reform
(WaterSavr 2012). The powder is generally applied at a density of approxi-
mately 1 kg/ha (1 ha = 10
4
m
2
= 2.741 acres). The WaterSavr powder has been
demonstrated in tests in Owens Lake (CA, USA), Turkey, India, Spain, and
Australia (Coliban 2006) to reduce surface evaporation up to 38%. The pow-
der is fully biodegradable in 48–72 h (ChemistryViews 2010) and is nontoxic.
However, it requires a still water surface ...