name of this amazing mineral comes from the Greek zeo - «kiplyu" and lithos - «Stone," because when lowering it into the water for a long time air bubbles.
natural zeolite first described in the XVIII century.Bright colors and different mineral density has a sedimentary-volcanic origin, is widespread on the planet.Druze of crystals of some species of interest to collectors of stones.
simple consumer well-known French drug "Smecta" water it is prescribed to infants with colic.It is made of a synthetic zeolite.
porous structure
Zeolite - a generalized name of the aluminosilicate framework from the field and produced synthetically.Their crystal structure is tetrahedral silicon and aluminum oxides, united in lace frames with the same size cavities filled with cations of alkali and alkaline earth metals, and water molecules.
What is valuable and interesting zeolite?Properties of the stone to the absorption and water loss without destroying the crystal framework and cation exchange finds a use as a catalyst, adsorbent, ion exchanger, a molecular sieve.This porous structure and diversity of the ions determine its quality, making the zeolite is indispensable for use in the chemical, nuclear, food industry, agriculture, medicine and everyday life.
Openwork crystals and dirty work
Zeolite - exchanger is: he gives ions of potassium and calcium and other micro-and macro, but instead takes the toxic ions and holds them in its grid.
Prokalёnny mineral absorption capacity is up to 50% by volume.Since the beginning of the XX century it has found application in the petrochemical industry for dewatering and cleaning oil for cement slurries in wells.
can actively absorb not only water, but also a variety of chemical and biological pollution: heavy metals, nitrates, pesticides, radionuclides, oil.It is used in gas purification plants and wastewater industries.
Stop, radiation!
interest in zeolites increased after the Chernobyl accident.Radioactive isotopes of cesium and strontium to humans are dangerous because they are perceived by the body as calcium and potassium and stores.The liquidators also to protect the inside was just alcohol and red wine.
Novosibirsk scientists headed by Academician Vasily Ivanovich Bgatova brought to Pripyat zeolite.It was ground in a mortar, mixed with water and fed after the change liquidators.Later, it was concluded: those involved in the events, who do not abandon this "mash" signs of radiation sickness as weakness, changes in leukocyte counts, tooth decay appeared to a much lesser extent.
In 1998, established on the basis of the material preparation "Litovit" recognized as the best means of excretion of radioactive cesium and strontium.
Without the use of zeolite water settlements of Ukraine with water after the accident would have been impossible.Sokirnit of Transcarpathian field used on all water intake station Dnipro basin.He also decontaminated waste water discharged into the Pripyat from the station.Passing through the zeolite layer reduces dvuhmetrovy infestation water isotopically two orders of magnitude.
After the Fukushima accident, too, used the bags of zeolite to absorb radionuclides, throwing them into the drainage system to reduce the pollution discharged into the ocean water.
Mining and
In the world there are about 1,000 fields where it is possible to extract natural zeolite (tuff) on a large scale.In the former USSR there were more than 20 - from Transcarpathia, and Transcaucasus to Sakhalin.However, the industrial value of and the need is such that from the middle of the last century began to produce synthetic zeolite.In it a part of the cations of alkali and alkaline earth metal alkyl ammonium ion is replaced.Synthesized dozens of species, some of which have no natural analogues.In the production process of an amorphous active structured blend at a temperature no higher than 200 ° C.
Building material
Plates Armenian tuff nearly thirty shades are famous as a building and finishing material with excellent properties.They are lined with beautiful houses in Yerevan and in many cities around the world.
natural zeolite application is as a filler in the manufacture of high-strength concrete, for example, hydraulic structures, monolithic construction.Waste from quarries and synthetic products are the manufacture foam and cellular materials, ceramic bricks.
manufacturing insulation film materials, fireproof partitions, cardboard, paper, paints, inks, plastics - all require the use of zeolite.
And for cats and fish
wide range of consumer applications based on the fact that the zeolite - a sorbent.Driers for shoes, fillers Aquarium and cat litter, odor absorbers for refrigerators, flavors, dry spirits - not a complete list of useful products.
But zeolites in detergents can hardly justify the use.Replacing phosphates - is good, but the mineral does not dissolve in water, rinse bad, settles on things, especially when push-ups dark fabrics.But zeolite nozzle on the hose, the water supply to the washing machine, get rid of scale and will save on detergent.
Living Water
Application of zeolite for water makes it not only usable, but also gives it unique properties.Passed through the filter, it becomes like a spring.It can not only drink, but also to bathe the baby, used for cosmetic purposes, watering flowers and seedlings, seeds germinate, pouring into the aquarium.Comparative studies demonstrate high biological activity zeolite the purified water.If there is such a filter, you can buy mineral stones (there are a pharmacy), wash, put in a three-liter jar, preferably two.12 hours later water is already possible to use.From time to time the zeolite dried and calcined, but three months is required to change.Use the stones is not necessary to pour in potted plants, as they accumulate a lot of pollutants.
Who are litofagi?
information that wild animals like to find and lick the salt, not quite true.Studies have shown that they lick and eat rocks formed in the destruction of rocks.These stones are not salty, and contains in its composition of montmorillonite, and other forms of clinoptilolite zeolite.
phenomenon of eating stones, clay, chalk (or litofagiya) is widely distributed in nature among animals, uncivilized peoples, and sometimes this can not help children and pregnant women.So they instinctively fill the need for minerals and treated.
Life Stone
But inside you can eat is not any zeolites.The damage can cause the variety of dangerous needles.In Russia, approved for food and medical purposes, only one zeolite - clinoptilolite Holinskogo deposits in Buryatia with an oval structure.From his 20 years of producing a biologically active additive "Litovit" - a stone of life.The drug is released in the form of powder, granules, tablets of one or zeolite additives bran, fungus, probiotics, medicinal plants.Permitted for use and distribution in 10 countries, the first certified in the "Healthy eating - the nation's health."
indications for its use are very wide: acute poisoning, chronic intoxication, allergy, metabolic disorders, hepatitis, bronchopulmonary diseases, various deficiency conditions (anemia, osteoporosis, arrhythmia, seizures) and their prevention.
Be sure to take into account that the reception "Litovita" need to share the time with the use of medication for at least half an hour, not to replace them treatment.This additional and prophylactic.
In the body, the zeolite acts not only as a sorbent is cleaned from harmful substances, but also as a donor of the micronutrient.And more of it make excellent scrubs and masks to cleanse and nourish the skin of the face and body.
in science and medicine need to chromatography purification of insulin and blood, does not violate the protein composition of body fluids.
for milking and crop
natural zeolite application is in agriculture - as an effective mineral supplement for pets, cattle and sheep, poultry and fish, as well as for soil improver and fertilizer for top dressing.
Enrichment it leads to a healthier diet, rapid growth, an increase in weight gain, improve product quality.Brilliant smooth coat, a good appetite, safe nurturing offspring, strong teeth, bones and shells from eggs, high milk yield - are indicators of adequate intake of minerals from animals.
zeolite required to improve the properties of the soil.It is used for indoor plants, greenhouses, vegetable gardens, in the device of lawns, golf courses, tree planting, introduced under grain crops.Increases water permeability, aeration and normalizes the acidity and mineral composition of the soil.A single application of zeolite preserves the action within 5 years.Plants get sick less, better develop, produce higher yields.
attention to environmental issues makes the search for effective measures to counter environmental pollution.Zeolite - an indispensable material for the solution of such problems.
