An artificial substance with the properties of coral will help clear the ocean of heavy metals
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A group of researchers from the province of China created a unique artificial substance that can absorb heavy metals from water. A similar mechanism is observed in nature in marine corals, which purify water from various harmful impurities. Scientists from the University of Anhui conducted a series of studies on the effectiveness of the new substance (improved structure of aluminum oxide) and the results showed encouraging results.
The man and his industrial activities on the planet lead to serious negative consequences for the environment, in particular, tons of pollutants (oil, chemicals, heavy metals, plastics, etc.) fall daily into the world's oceans.
In the ocean pollutants are absorbed by marine animals and plants, and eventually with food enter the human body.
This problem is more serious than it might seem at first glance. According to WHO data, children who live in fishing areas have been found to be abused due to the consumption of large amounts of mercury with fish and seafood. Mercury not only accumulates in the tissues of mollusks and fish, but also transforms into their bodies into even more toxic forms.
It is worth recalling the tragedy that occurred in the Gulf of Minamato (Japan), where after the construction of a small chemical plant, local residents were struck by a terrible disease caused by the accumulation of organic compounds of mercury in the body. The main symptoms are hearing and speech impairment, motor skills, numbness, tingling of the limbs, in severe cases, paralysis, impaired consciousness, death develops. The disease was called Minamato syndrome, there is no effective treatment for today.
Naturally, a person is not the only one who is affected by the negative consequences of his life on the planet, animals, marine life, birds, plants, etc. Also suffer. For example, marine corals purify water of pollutants, but a high content of heavy metals can lead to the death of these organisms. It is these absorbing properties of corals that helped scientists develop an artificial substance capable of absorbing contaminants, in particular heavy metals.
For their scientific work, specialists chose aluminum oxide. This substance was chosen not accidentally; in the past, aluminum oxide has already shown high efficiency when removing pollutants. Chinese researchers have improved the structure of the substance in order to better cope with the task.
Scientists have created nanoplasts of aluminum oxide with a surface that mimics natural corals (in the form of curls).
New material experts experienced in the process of purifying water from mercury. As a result, it was found that the improved alumina is 2.5 times more effective in eliminating pollutants, compared to conventional nanoparticles of this substance.
Project Manager Xiabao Wang noted that he and his team are generally satisfied with the results of their work.
In addition, he hopes that their project will not only be a worthy example for other scientists in this field, but will also help develop new artificial materials that mimic the beneficial properties of biological organisms.
[