ADVANCED ADSORPTION MATERIALS BASED ON NATURAL MINERALS FOR WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the efficiency of removing eutrophication agents—phosphate (PO₄³⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) ions—from wastewater using natural sorbents: glauconite and clinoptilolite. The sorption capacities of natural, thermally treated, and metal-modified samples were compared. It was found that Fe- and Cu-modified samples demonstrated the highest efficiency for phosphate removal, while ammonium was better adsorbed by natural or Fe-modified clinoptilolite and thermally activated glauconite. The adsorption processes were analyzed using Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models, allowing a detailed assessment of the interaction mechanisms between the sorbents and target ions. Experiments with real wastewater samples confirmed the applicability of these minerals in tertiary filtration systems. The findings highlight the practical value of glauconite and clinoptilolite as environmentally safe, cost-effective materials for the treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater containing eutrophication-inducing substances. Their use may significantly reduce nutrient loads entering natural water bodies and contribute to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems and environmental sustainability.