Glauconite is one of natural clay minerals that are low-cost and readily available. Its specific characters, including potassium cations activity, layered structure and absorption capacity, explain the comprehensive interest to this mineral. It is especially prospective in regard of water treatment. Glauconite composition depends on the formation conditions, which lead to different sorption properties. Here we studied the sorption parameters and physical characteristic of unique glauconite of the Bakchar deposit by mean of granulometric analysis, electromagnetic separation, X-ray fluorescence analysis, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, petrographic studies, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, nitrogen thermal desorption method, inversion voltammetry. Finally, we tested this mineral as a sorbent. The studied glauconitic concentrate has the best comparative sorption properties. Results show that glauconite of the Bakchar deposit is a cheap and prospective sorbent for heavy metals.
Keywords: Bakchar deposit; glauconite; heavy metals; sorption; water treatment.