IN-SITU APPLICATION OF THE MINERAL SORBENT CLINOPTILOLITE AS PERMEABLE BARRIER TO RADIOACTIVITY IN RIVER WATERS

The natural zeolites as very effective mineral sorbents are often used for adsorption of many metals and other pollutants in the process of water purification. This study focused on the results of using the unique adsorption and chelating affinity of one of the most spread natural zeolites - clinoptilolite for reduction of radioactivity in river water ecosystems. For this purpose in-situ experiments were carried out in the river basin of the rivers Musalenska Bistritsa and Iskar from the Rila Mountain area. The dynamic of radioactive sorption of radioactive elements as 137Cs, 7Be, etc. is traced in the different river waters. The study could be useful in the developments of new safety and economically beneficial mode for reducing the harmful anthropogenic influences.