Study: Zeolite’s Effects on the Immune System September 22nd, 2009
Dietary Supplementation With the Tribomechanically Activated Zeolite Clinoptilolite in Immunodeficiency: Effects on the Immune System
Slavko Ivkovic, MD, Zagreb, Croatia
Ulrich Deutsch, MD, Negast, Germany
Angelika Silberbach, MD, Richtenberg, Germany
Erwin Walraph, MD, Laboratory for Immunology, Neubrandenburg, Germany
Marcus Mannel, MD, Ad libitum Medical Services, Berlin, Germany
Study: Zeolite Minerals for Uptake of Mercury Solutes September 8th, 2009
The uptake of inorganic Hg2+ and organometallic CH3Hg+ from aqueous solutions by 11 different natural zeolites has been investigated using a batch distribution coefficient (Kd) method and supported by a preliminary voltammetric study. The effect of mercury concentration on the Kd response is shown over an environmentally appropriate concentration range of 0.1–5 ppm inorganic and organometallic Hg using a batch factor of 100 ml g–1 and 20 h equilibration. Analcime and a Na-chabazite displayed the greatest methylmercury uptakes (Kd values at 1.5 ppm of 4023 and 3456, respectively), with mordenite as the smallest at 578. All uptake responses were greater for methylmercury than for the inorganic mercuric nitrate solutions, suggesting a distinctive sensitivity of zeolites to reaction with different types of solute species. It is likely that this sensitivity is attributable to the precise nature of the resultant Hg-zeolite bonds. Additionally, both the Si-Al ratio and the Na content of the initial natural zeolite samples are shown to influence the Kd responses, with positive correlations between Kd and Na content for all zeolites excluding mordenite.
Zeolites Have Many Uses September 8th, 2009
Zeolites are members of the aluminosilicate family. Most mineral collectors have examples of them in their collections. They are found in most geologic type environments on most of the continents of the world. This vast variety of sources demonstrates that zeolites are much more than rare, prized collectible minerals. They are one of the more abundant mineralogical species on the earth. Zeolites have their beauty at the atomic level as well as in the crystalline forms. To date, more than 90 zeolite and zeotype structural frameworks have been fully characterized. These structures have many industrial uses.
Zeolite in Soil Amendments September 8th, 2009
Natural Zeolites
Natural zeolites were formed by the chemical reaction of volcanic ash and alkaline salt water. This chemical reaction gives natural zeolites an open three-dimensional honeycomb and porous structure. The mined zeolite ore is dried, crushed, and screened to meet USGA particle size specifications. Different natural zeolite deposits can have quite different chemical and physical characteristics. A high quality natural zeolite has a high CEC, low clay, low sodium, and high potassium.
Zeolite Mineral History & Properties September 2nd, 2009
Historically, mineral zeolite was discovered in 1756 by a Swedish mineralogist named Freiherr Axel Fredrick Cronstedt, who derived the name from the Greek words zein and lithos meaning “boiling stones”. Over the next 200 years chemists and mineralogists studied zeolites and discovered the dehydration, adsorption, and cation exchange properties of this mineral.
Study: The Removal of Heavy Metals August 13th, 2009
Many toxic heavy metals have been discharged into the environment as industrial wastes, causing serious soil and water pollution.
In this study, the adsorption behavior of natural (clinoptilolite) zeolites with respect to Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ has been studied in order to consider its application to purity metal finishing wastewaters.
Conclusion: These results show that natural zeolites hold great potential to remove cationic heavy metal species from industrial wastewater. This naturally occurring material provides a substitute for the use of activated carbon as adsorbent due to its availability and its low cost.
