[A new sorbent for concentrating viruses from an aqueous medium]

Sorption activity was studied of a naturally occurring dispersive mineral saponite towards certain representatives of the families of Picornaviridae and Reoviridae: poliomyelitis type II viruses, Coxsackie B 1 and B 6, monkey disease rotavirus. In increasing rank order in respect of specific sorption activity is naturally occurring bentonite--sodium form of bentonite--naturally occurring saponite. Possible mechanisms of sorption of viruses on the sorbent's surface, related to structural and chemical properties of the mineral are discussed.