Between spreading ocean dead zones caused by climate change and pollution, and contaminated municipal water supplies stemming from widespread pesticide use, the quality of both human and marine life over the next decade is uncertain at best. We all need water to survive, which is why the creation of a novel, silica-based material that absorbs toxins in water has scientists and environmental advocates on the edge of their seats.
Patented under the name "Obsorb," this space-age glass binds with gasoline and other pollutants containing volatile organic compounds but it does not bind with water, so it acts like a “smart” sponge, capable of picking and choosing from contaminated groundwater (CleanTechnica).
When it comes in contact with a volatile organic compound in water, such as fuel oils, chlorinated solvents, and hexamine, the glass absorbs the volatile molecules within the compound without reacting with the water. Because of its nano-matrix structure, which means it can unfold to absorb the contaminants, the glass can hold up to eight times its weight and can be reused hundreds of times. ABSMaterials is currently marketing three variations of the material to firms and government agencies contracted to clean up or remediate toxic groundwater contamination sites.
This swelling glass could have huge practical implications for the EPA as well as the Department of Energy, which currently lists 4,000 priority contamination sites representing around $250 to $350 billion in potential remediation costs.
When utilized at a contamination site, Obsorb will float to the surface of the water once it is full, making retrieval as easy as skimming leaves out of a pool. Then, the pollutants can be removed and the glass can be reused hundreds of times.
Image Credit: reinerschubert via flickr/Creative Commons
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Then where do the contaminants go? The landfill? Too bad tis isn’t ready to be used in Australia to clean up the barrier reef from the Chinese ships oil spill!
This sounds like the answer..What great news. I paint paradise and it has no pollutants it is what the world is suppose to be. Heaven on Earth..we are here now and living in paradise now. CLEAN IT UP~~Yay! If we can all work together we can do it. They can make plastic from hemp that dissolves. We must make hemp legal and use all the products from it. Fuel, building materials, medicine..over 25,000 products. Washington and Jefferson grew it!! Material..clothes. Paper..not cutting down all the trees. It is the answer! Plus making it legal to smoke for people over 21 same as alchohol. Hope all Californians vote yes on legalazation in November!! No more prohibition. This really can change the world if it can be legalized for eveything.
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