Features of Geoecoprotective Properties’ Manifestation of Some Silicate-containing Waste Products

Abstract

The relevance of the problem is caused by contamination of the biosphere with heavy metal ions, which are called «super-toxicants of the 21st century». The aim of the work is to detect and evaluate the ability of silicate-containing waste products to absorb heavy metal ions. Such silicate-containing waste products can be called mineral geoantidotes. The leading method of researching and evaluating the mineral geoantidotes’ ability to absorb heavy metal ions is to determine their capacity in relation to contamination. The value of the capacity allows to compare known sorbents used in practice with those proposed in the article. The static and dynamic capacities of mineral geoantidotes have been determined as a result of the research; it has been shown that the ion exchange of calcium ions into heavy metal ions is a possible mechanism for the absorption of heavy metal ions. The conducted experiments showed the absence of absorbed metals’ leaching into the aqueous solution from mineral geoantidotes, the lack of selectivity with respect to various heavy metal ions, and the absence of the organic pollution’s influence on the ion exchange. The questions of mineral geoantidotes’ regeneration or its further safe utilization into burning technologies are considered. The materials of the article can be useful for developing technological solutions for reducing the negative impact of heavy metal ions on the hydrosphere, as well as on the useful utilization of solid mineral silicate-containing waste products.