Siberian Federal University (SFU) has developed a new sorbent that absorbs oil and petroleum products from the surface of water bodies. The innovative "sponge" will reduce the cost of cleaning up the ecosystem, the university's press service reported.
Oil spills in water bodies create a film that blocks access to oxygen, light, and heat, which are essential for the life of microorganisms. According to scientists' estimates, a spill of one ton of oil can lead to the formation of an oil slick covering an area of 12 square kilometers in just ten minutes. In northern regions, the consequences of such spills can be catastrophic.
The new polymer sorbent consists of non-toxic and non-pathogenic components and humic acids. It is capable of absorbing 90–98% of oil and petroleum products at temperatures from 0° to +40°C, and it also decomposes without harming the environment.
A distinctive feature is the combination of two polymer resins in the composition — urea-formaldehyde, with a formaldehyde emission class of no more than 0.2 percent, and melamine-formaldehyde resin, which allows obtaining a composite with a safe, environmentally friendly composition, fire-resistant characteristics, and the ability to capture carbon dioxide during fires.
In addition, the sorbent prevents the evaporation of petroleum products and can be used as a slow-release polymer fertilizer. The decomposition of urea resins occurs within three to five years.
Scientists continue experiments to assess the impact of the new sorbent on Arctic plants and soil microbiota.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that in Russia, scientists improved a sorbent for cleaning water from heavy metals.
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