Abstract:Basic properties of environmental mineral materials including surface adsorption, porous filtration, ion exchange and heat effect as well as chemical solubility are put forward in this paper. They can be widely applied to such fields of tacking contamination and renovating environment as quality improvement of surface water, groundwater, rivers, lakes and ground reservoirs; improvement of soil; disposal of unclear waste; purification of domestic sewage; collection of smoke and dust and treatment of waste water. The prospective investigation and utilization of environment mineral materials are dealt with in detail with the emphasis placed on the prevention and cure of soil contaminated by heavy metals, quality improvement and treatment of surface water and groundwater and collection of smoke and dust in burning coals. The Fe,Mn and Al oxides and hydroxides together with clay minerals in soil are favorable to adsorbing 299 heavy metals in soil systems. Contaminated surface water and groundwater can be treated by natural minerals, especially those having properties of surface adsorption, ion exchange, porous filtration and chemical solubility. The metal minerals containing elements of changeable va- lences such as Fe, Mn and S can be used as good reductants or oxidants to react with pollutants in waste water. The heat effects of natural minerals and their modified products are helpful to fixing sulfur dioxide and fine grains of carbon during the burning of coals. The effective, economical and simple methods of pollutants disposal by natural minerals embody natural self_purification in inorganic world, analogous to well_known biological purification by natural plants in organic world.

Abstract:The sorption mass of such metal ions as Ag+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+and Ni2+ on calcite surfaces are measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) as a function of metal ion concentration at temperature of 30℃and ion strength ofI=0.1 mol/L. The surface reaction isotherms can be classified into four types, viz.: A_type, adsorption isotherm of Langmuir (Ag+); B_type, adsorption isotherm of Freudlich (Cd2+, Ni2+); C_type, adsorption_copre_cipitation isotherm with saltation (Cu2+, Zn2+); D_type, linear sorption isotherm (Cr3+, Pb2+). The species of Ag+sorbed on calcite surface is of the form of >CO3Ag with very small surface coverage,NMex=0.01. The species of Cd2+and Ni2+sorbed on calcite surface are sin- gle nuclear complexation (>CO3MOH),NMex<0.1, or multi_nuclear complexation, 0.1< NMex<1, and subordinately single nuclear complexation (>CO3MOH); the surface species of Cu2+, Zn2+and Ni2+are precipitation products under the condition of high concentration. The species of Pb2+and Cr3+sorbed on calcite surface are mainly precipitation products and subordinately adsorption complexation products at low concentration,NMex≤0.08. The experimental results show that multi-models coexist in the surface reactions of heavy metal ions with calcite. The sorption behavior of the sorbed cations such as Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+on calcite can be modeled by surface exchange reaction at low concentration of metal ions; they can be modeled by both surface complexation and exchange reaction, or by precipitation at high concentration of metal ions. Surface complexation or precipitation can be used to model the sorption behavior of such sorbed cations as Ag+, Pb2+ and Cr3+ on calcite.

Abstract:It is well known that Hg(Ⅱ) is seriously harmful to public health. For example, it impairs such parts of human bodies as brain neuron, kidney and heart tissue. So it is necessary to remove the Hg(Ⅱ) from wastewater before it is discharged. A method for the treatment of the Hg(Ⅱ) wastewater by using natural iron_bearing sulfide is reported in this paper, and the effects of pH, concentration of Hg(Ⅱ) and grain size of the sample upon removal of Hg(Ⅱ) in wastewater are studied in detail. In addition, the characteristics of the repeated utilization of the sample as well as the relationship between Hg(Ⅱ) concentration and wastewater volume and quantity of the sample are discussed. It is emphatically pointed out that the rate of Hg(Ⅱ) precipitation can be raised by increasing pH value from the beginning to the end of the treatment. The experimental results show that the method is very effective in the treatment of Hg(Ⅱ) wastewater.

Abstract:Cation and anion adsorption at the solid/solution interface plays an important role in several chemical fields such as colloid and interface chemistry, soil chemistry and geochemistry,aquatic chemistry, environmental chemistry, catalysis, and chemical engineering. The basic principles of mineral application to engineering are adsorption and precipitation reactions on mineral surface. The treatment of industrial pollutants of heavy metal elements, characterized by low cost and high efficiency, is not only the most important problem in the field of environ- mental protection all over the world, but also one of the important subjects on the water treatment. Having studied the mechanism of interface reaction between solid sulfide and heavy ionic solution, the authors discovered the new method of sulfide→stirring→CaO adjusting pH value to treat the sewage water containing Cr6+,Cr3+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Ni2+,Hg2+,Pb2+,Cd2+in the electroplate factory. It is proved through many experiments that the method has attained the national standards of sewage treatment. This method is very important for environmental protection, and the prospects of its application is very bright.

Abstract:This paper describes a method for treating Pb(Ⅱ) wastewater by natural iron_bearing sulfides. The process of the experiment is as follows: the natural mineral sample is obtained through selection, followed by determination, smashing, washing, drying, screening, magnetic separation and identification according to its X_ray diffraction property; then the Pb(Ⅱ) wastewater is prepared by solving solid Pb(NO3)2in the distilled water, and the pH of the solution is changed by 1% HNO3and 5% NaOH solution; at last the sample is put into the Pb(Ⅱ) solution to make them react with each other. The experimental results show that the increase of the quantity of the sample, the decrease of the grain size of the sample, the raising of the initial pH and Pb(Ⅱ) concentrations and the reduction of the volume of the Pb(Ⅱ) solution are beneficial to the decrease of Pb(Ⅱ) ion amount that dissolves in the solution. On the basis of the initial Pb(Ⅱ) ion concentration value (c), an equation for the quantity of the sample (m) has been obtained, viz., pH=11.00,m=0.2006c+0.4244,m:g,c:μg/ml.Some reaction mechanisms on treating Pb(Ⅱ) by the natural iron_bearing sulfide have also been dealt with in detail in this paper.

Abstract:The primary influential factors, capacities of adsorption and desorption and mechanism for the purification of Cu2+_bearing wastewater by using 13X zeolite were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the optimal pH for the removal of Cu2+was 7~10 (alkalinity), the ratio of adsorption reached a plateau value when the adsorption time was 10 min. and increased with increasing temperature and reached a plateau value at 50℃. The volume of treated wastewater that contained 30 mg/L Cu2+by using 1 g zeolite was 1 471.34 ml, and the adsorption capacity was 43.40 mg/g. The concentration of wastewater after treatment attained 333 the national standard of drainage water. Spent 13X zeolite could be regenerated by sturated solution of NaCl without noticeable loss of capacity. Adsorption and ion exchange made up the major mechanism for the purification of wastewater. Experimental researches indicate that 13X zeolite is suitable for the purification of Cu2+_bearing wastewater.

Abstract:The papermaking waste water of straw-pulp type is the most serious contaminate to environment and industrial water pollute difficult to handle. Using purificant made by zeolite from Shangtianti of Xinyang, the authors treated papermaking waste water and got good result. The experience obtained provides a new idea for purifying papermaking waste water.The preparation of purificant is carried out in accordance with the following process: dip the 80 mesh zeolite-powder into water; after bringing about hydrolysis, the aluminate and ferrite with polynuclear, polyhydroxy and high electropositivity can be formed and are mixed in a certain propor- tion. At the same time, add moderate amounts of assistant preparation of reaction and fully stir them. Then this mixed substance is put into a tank with temperature 200~250℃, and reacts chemically for a certain time to form sintered blocks. Finally, grind the loose sintered blocks until they become 80 mesh size, forming zeolite purificant. This purificant is nonpoisonous,scentless, stable chemically, and its preparation technique is simple, without letting tail dregs.At the proportion of 1∶900 this purificant is used to treat the terminal waste water of the Maping Papermaking Works, Hubei, according to the following technological process: cut off the terminal waste water→add purificant→stir→form cotton_like coagulate→precipitate→drain off the upper clear water→further precipitate→filter with pressure→retrieve filtered dregs. In the small test the process can reduce CODcrof waste water from 3500 mg/L to about 450 mg/ L; in the large test it can also reduce CODcrto 890~960 mg/L. Therefore, the technological process has reached the 2nd or 3rd Grade of the State Industrial Letting Criteria (GB 3544_ 92). The same effect has been realized in using the purificant to treat the terminal waste water of the following papermaking words: Hannan in Wuhan, Jingzhou and Yunxian in Hubei, Xinyang in Henan, and Muping in Shandong. These tests show that the zeolite purificant has good prospects in treating waste water; nevertheless, comprehensive studies are needed to strengthen the cotton_like coagulate.

Abstract:The adding of suitable amounts of zeolitic tuff powder from Chicheng County in Hebei Province to animal feeds can increase the output of meat and egg, raise the effect of feed utilization, and reduce procuction costs. The measure may reduce content of harmful gas in animal house, help to improve microclimate in the house, benefit animal health, and better labor environment of stockmen. Using artifical dry clearing-away of excrements and zeolite-aerobic bacteria fermentation, the technology for treating animal waste possesses remarkably favorable con- ditions in technique and cost. Being of great significance not only in the improvement of the environment of the farm but also in the protection and application of water resources, this technology will provide a new method for the treatment and commercialization of animal wastes.

Abstract:Much smoke is produced during the production of electric fused alumina, which causes serious environmental pollution. In order to evaluate its environmental impacts, the authors collected data from two groups of electric furnaces in Guizhou Province, being 3000 kVA and 7500 kVA respectively. According to forecasting calculation and analysis, it is shown that the environmental quality has been greatly improved after the dust removal by means of electric or sack methods, with air quality changed from Grade 3 to Grade 1. The composition of the corundum dusts is studied by chemical analysis, electron microscope analysis and X-ray analysis. It is shown that the corundum dusts are ultrafine granular gray powders consisting of glassy eutectics of O, Al, Si and K. There are also some potassium sulfate, corundum and limonite in the dust. A recycle technique of the dusts is also suggested.

Abstract:Large quantities of basic waste residue were drained from paper mills and sugar refineries every year, resulting in the pollution of the environment. The preparation of light_duty thermal insulation material by mixing bentonite with solid waste residue is of great social and economic significance. In this research, such characteristics of bentonite as ion exchange, adsorption,dispersion and special structure were used. The waste residue with bentonite and pearlite was mixed and sintered below 1050℃. The light thermal insulation material was made by bentonite and industrial waste residue. This is a solid phase reaction. The effects of bentonite, size, temperature and time were studied. The best technology includes size 600~800μm, SiO2∶CaO= 1∶1, temperature 1000~1050℃, and sintering time 4~6 hours. The experimental results are heat conduction coefficient 0.171 W/m·K, compressive strength 9.37 kg/cm2, and unit weight 0.49 g/cm3. The function of the product has reached or surpassed the synthesized product. The main component isβ_CaSiO3, together with small amounts of nephelite and wollastonite. Studies show that the heat effect of bentonite helps reaction at high temperature. With- out producting new pollution, the reaction can not only handle waste residue but also turn the harmful into the beneficial.

Abstract:The study of biological active and toxic effect of mineral particulates (dusts) and bacterial microorganisms is a new branch of environmental mineralogy just carried out both in China and abroad. Combined with the reserach situation of applied microorganisms such as microbiological and soil fertilizers, the extraction of microorganisms and elements, the removal of microbiological dirt and harmful elements, this paper deals emphatically with the action of microorganisms to mineral interfaces as well as their interdependent relationship, and points out the shortcomings in the study of the product and mechanism of bacteria/dust action under the condition of residential and atmospheric environment, ocean floor environment and polar environment as well as human body environment. It is held that emphasis should be placed on research work of mineral dusts/bacteria stem action and its environment_conditioning factors, the toxic effect of the process of dusts/bacteria action, the mutual selection between elements and bacteria in mixed dusts and the expression of the coordination body. It is probable that the major attention will be focused on such problems as the leading dynamic force of mineral/bacteria stem action and the action of auto_oxidized bacteria on dusts of silicate minerals. Importance will be attached to the mutual surface adsorption between mixed mineral dusts and microorganisms, the metabilites produced when mineral dusts enter microorganic system as well as the variation in the requirements for environmental vitamin and amino acid. The characteristics of crystal boundary and membrance boundary are emphasized.

Abstract:Instead of destroying the environment, green building materials can pretect the environment and save energy and resources. The concept and research content of green building materials are dealt with in this paper. The development of evaluation standards and exploitation is investigated briefly. There has been great progress in research and popularization of green building materials in Europe, America and Japan; nevertheless, advances in this aspect are not encouraging in China. China constructs 800 million square meters of buildings per year for city residence (200 million square meters), public construction, rural construction and industrial construction, which need large quantities of building materials and decoration materials; decoration materials, in particular, have been increasing rapidly both in varieties and in quantities. Their effects on public health are increasingly serious so that we should study and popularize green building materials. The authors hold that the public researchers and government policy makers should raise their consciousness of environmental protection, develop and apply green building materials to improve healthy and safety conditions of inhabitants and guarantee the sustainable development of the society.