[Modified smectite rocks from Poland enhance removal of some organic compounds from natural surrounding]

The organic compounds (phenol, aniline, naphthalene, petrol) are the pollutants which are most frequently encountered in the natural environment. Even small amounts of these compounds may create the hazard to living organisms. The absorption methods are used to neutralize these pollutants and to prevent their dissemination. The objective of these paper was to evaluate the activity of organo-smectite compounds (with respect to phenol, aniline, naphthalene and petrol) using the silty minerals as sorbents. The silty minerals are known for their absorption capability of some organic compounds-mostly cations and base solutions. Only the trace amounts of non ionic compounds (phenol,benzene,dioxins) are absorbed by these minerals. Should the long chain ammonic cations with various length of hydrocarbon chain be introduced at the exchange site, the absorption capability of these compounds and their organophylic properties are greatly improved and their surface became organophylic. The bentonites and smectite silts (from Chmielnik, Milowice, Mecinka, Adamowa and Dylagówka) were used for preparation of sorbents. The laboratory tests had indicated that all smectites treated with ammonia salts create the organic-mineral compounds and that modification of smectites (increase of cation length) changes properties of their surface (hydrophilic character is changed to hydrophobic). The organic smectites have a very good sorption properties with respect to the organic compounds mentioned before.