In their study, European scientists actively cite the work of Vladimir Kovalevsky, Head of the Shungite Geology and Technology Laboratory at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS and acknowledge his contribution in providing samples. Studies into the useful properties of shungite, including its water filtration capacity, have been conducted at the laboratory since the 1970s and continue to this day. Shungite’s role as a physical and chemical water filter is ensured by its highly porous structure and large effective surface area which carries oxygen-bearing organic compounds, enhancing its adsorption capacity.
– Using shungite in water purification is not a new idea, but the interesting part of our colleagues’ study is the comparison between the two varieties of the rock. The results confirm our previous finding that shungite is an efficient water purification agent, providing yet another reminder of the uniqueness of Karelian shungite, – commented Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy Vladimir Kovalevsky.
Shungite rock specimens in the Precambrian Geology Museum of the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS
Researchers at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS currently focus on mapping the diversity of shungite types and determining the best applications and modification methods for each of them. Karelian deposits are unmatched globally in terms of volume and composition of the shungite rock, but studies show they all differ in the properties of the raw material extracted.
– As to rock from the Zazhoginsky outcrop, it is more homogenous, with fewer harmful compounds getting leached out, and so better suited for water purification. Shungite from the Maksovo deposit behaves much worse in this regard, releasing arsenic and cadmium. On the other hand, this same Maksovo rock performs better in composite materials. It’s essential to know precisely which shungite rock we are using and what we expect to achieve with it, – emphasized Vladimir Kovalevsky.
In Russia, shungite is already used in water treatment systems. In recent years, the KarRC RAS has implemented projects with foreign partners to design and refine such technologies. However, wider application of such filters is hindered by the aforementioned diversity of shungite rock types and the fact that they contain ore minerals. The oxidation of these minerals leads to the release of undesirable chemical elements, including some heavy metals. Methods are required to remove such compounds from shungite.
In 2024, KarRC RAS obtained a patent for a method for microbiological leaching of sulfides from shungite rocks. Its authors – staff of the laboratory Vladimir Kovalevsky, Irina Kochneva, and Viktoria Rozhkova – remark that the application of bacteria for leaching sulfides and alumosilicates bearing hazardous chemical elements from shungites is of special interest from both the environmental and the technological perspectives.
Authors of the proprietary development – staff of the Shungite Geology and Technology Laboratory, Institute of Geology KarRC RAS
Vladimir Kovalevsky, Irina Kochneva, and Viktoria Rozhkova
– We have patented an environmentally friendly and safe technology: shungite rock is processed in a special manner using various microorganisms. As a result, unwanted elements are leached (released) into water. After that, these elements can, if needed, be concentrated to be used as a separate product. Meanwhile, the shungite rock from which they had been removed becomes more suitable for water purification, – explained Vladimir Kovalevsky.
Apart from water filtration, scientists are also exploring other potential applications for shungite: creating new nanostructured composites, producing electromagnetic shielding materials, manufacturing fodder and mineral supplements for agriculture, and others.
– Shungite rocks are unique in structure and properties, but their potential is not yet fully captured, despite long and fairly extensive research. Our region’s shungite reserves are globally unmatched. With a proper approach, they could bring significant economic benefits and hold great promise for creating new materials, water purification, and much more, – summarized Vladimir Kovalevsky.
Photos: Aleksey Makarov, Igor Georgievsky / KarRC RAS