Experts from Bryansk State Engineering and Technology University BGITU have created innovative sorbents capable of being reused over 50 times to help clean natural water bodies from oil spills. The team emphasizes the durability and effectiveness of the material, with leadership from the Department of Industrial Ecology and Technosphere Safety at BGITU confirming the breakthrough. The project contributes to safer environmental management and supports ongoing clean-up efforts.
The sorbent is based on polyurethane foam, a material akin to the stuff used in kitchen sponges. By incorporating paraffins, researchers boosted the sorbent’s capacity to absorb oil while enhancing its resistance to water. This combination reduces oil leakage into water and makes the material easier to recover and reuse after each spill incident.
According to BGITU researchers, one kilogram of this polyurethane-based sorbent can absorb as much as two tons of oil, a performance level that surpasses many sorbents in current use by roughly threefold. The advancement offers a potent option for rapid response scenarios and long-term environmental protection.
Separately, scientists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University PNRPU examined how gas exchange in soil shifts when oil and oil wastes contaminate the ground. The findings of this study are expected to enable more effective restoration of fertile soils, according to a release from the institution’s press service circulated to media outlets. This work supports strategies to reclaim agricultural lands affected by hydrocarbon pollution and to restore soil health for future crop production.
Earlier research highlighted that certain soil bacteria can endure extended droughts and help safeguard plant life under harsh conditions. These microbial capabilities play a complementary role in soil remediation programs by promoting resilience and assisting in the breakdown of contaminants over time.