Lightweight media for growing microorganisms for use in a variety of biological and/or biochemical processes or for chemically treating wastes without microorganisms, the media being comprised of a mass of polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam, having an outer region enclosing an inner region, with a plurality of fragments of an inorganic material, such as sand, at least partially embedded in the outer region

Lightweight media for growing microorganisms for use in a variety of biological and/or biochemical processes or for chemically treating wastes without microorganisms, the media being comprised of a mass of polymeric foam, such as polyurethane foam, having an outer region enclosing an inner region, with a plurality of fragments of an inorganic material, such as sand, at least partially embedded in the outer region