Influence of composition and structure of natural aluminosilicate materials of the Chelyabinsk region on their sorption properties

The activities of non-ferrous metallurgy plants cause environmental pollution. In Chelyabinsk region a disaster zone is the territory of Karabash industrial area. One of the projects to reduce pollution is aimed at collecting water of Ryzhiy Ruchey (“Red Creek”), which is the most polluted body of water in the biological ponds of the area. High concentration of heavy metals in the water of Red Creek requires special preparation of the bottom of the reservoir that is the receiver of the biological site, otherwise there is a danger of the contaminants’ seeding into the groundwater, and then to Argazi reservoir. We offer to use natural materials, particularly, clay to form the basis of the reservoirs’ bottom. The results of the research show the dependence of the sorption characteristics of the most common natural silicates (clays) on their composition and structure. It was found that the absorption capacity of natural clay rocks of the Chelyabinsk region are limited and reversible. Researched kaolins of Emanzhelinsk and Kyshtym deposits, as well as Oglanly montmorillonite cannot be recommended as materials for protective barriers.