Application Prospepects of a Mineral Sorbents in Yakutia

Abstract

The subject covered in the paper is practical application of ecologically and economically proved methods to restore the disturbed soil ecosystems in Yakutia after emergency oil spills. Experimental studies have been performed on the development of a new petroleum biosorbent based on a mineral composition. The natural zeolite from the Khonguruu deposit (Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia) is used as a base for obtaining the new petroleum biosorbent. A brief description of the material composition and physico-chemical characteristics of various types of zeolite raw material is given.We present the results of the experimental application of hydrocarbon oxidizing microorganisms (HOM) immobilized on zeolite (clinoptilolite-geylandite series) from the Khonguruu deposit in oil-contaminated soils. It has been established that the obtained biomineral compositions provide a significant activation of the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (HC) in the soil. The most intensive processes occur at the first stage of the treatment activities (up to 90 days from the experiment’s start). The effect of the zeolite with fraction size less than 0.25 mm on the intensity of the destruction of oil is somewhat higher, compared with fraction size 0.5-3.0 mm. During one growing season, the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils treated with HOM was 36-54%; in soils treated with HOM immobilized on zeolite - 71-99%; in control variants not treated with biological preparations, the degradation coefficient of oil contamination is not significant. In general, the technology of using zeolite raw materials for cleaning up oil spills from different types of permafrost soils provides a significant ecological and economic effect, thus contributing to the reduction of the time for rehabilitation of disturbed lands and the improvement of the environment in the disturbed territory.

Study of the Possibility of Using Na- and Ca-Differences of Zeolite for the Drinking Water Purification

“…Physical and chemical properties of zeolite rocks of deposits by types of raw materials vary: the content of zeolites in the rock, % -70 -98; ion exchange capacity, mg-eq/g-0.16 -1.91; water adsorption properties at P / Ps=1.0, % -10.34 -12.03; thermal stability, °C -700; optimal dehydration temperature, °C -300 -550 [13][14][15].…”