Scientists from KBSU propose cleaning the Black Sea with a rock

Scientists from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov (KBSU) have found a way to clean the Black Sea with serpentinite, a special rock that has the ability to absorb fuel oil. The development was sent to the emergency response headquarters.

An innovative method for cleaning the coast can prevent an environmental disaster. Ramazan Tegaev, head of the KBSU Hydrogen Technology Center, proposed an unusual sorbent — serpentinite, or serpentine. This rock, abundant in the mountains of Kabardino-Balkaria, acts like a sponge when ground into powder: it absorbs fuel oil from the surface of the water.

Serpentinite has high porosity and adsorption capacity. After it has “collected” the fuel oil, the mass can be easily removed with a magnet — the rock particles are magnetized,

— Tegaev explained.

The method has three key advantages: environmental friendliness, accessibility and efficiency. Serpentinite is non-toxic and does not harm marine life. The rock reserves in the region are practically inexhaustible, and extraction is cheaper than purchasing synthetic sorbents. Magnetic removal reduces cleaning time and minimizes manual labor.

Representatives of 13 universities in the country gathered at a meeting at the Situation Center in Anapa, and the KBSU project was among the four best admitted to field testing. At the test site, Tegaev’s team demonstrated how serpentinite powder binds fuel oil in a matter of minutes, after which the mixture is quickly extracted with a magnet.

The technology is recognized as one of the most effective and has been sent to the federal emergency response headquarters. If approved, serpentinite will become one of the main tools for cleaning the Black Sea.