KFU offers innovative solutions for Black Sea oil spill cleanup
A special event of the 5th Congress of Young Scientists was held, dedicated to eliminating the consequences of the oil spill in the Kerch Strait.
The purpose of the meeting was to select the best technological solutions to eliminate the problem on the Black Sea coast. Our researchers presented innovative solutions and took an active part in developing a comprehensive program for cleaning up the marine area near Anapa.
The event brought together more than 100 participants, including experts from leading Russian universities and research centers of the Russian Academy of Sciences, officials of federal and regional authorities, and business representatives.
The attendees were greeted by Ruslan Edelgeriev, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Representative of the Head of State on Climate Issues, and Denis Sekirinsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Mikhail Varfolomeev, Director of the Small Tonnage Chemical Technology Park of KFU, acted as coordinator for the development of a set of measures and promising solutions to eliminate the consequences of the oil spill. The working group included representatives from universities, scientific organizations, equipment and chemical manufacturers, as well as the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Rospotrebnadzor, and regional authorities.
“In the course of our work, we summarized and analyzed the current problems associated with marine pollution,” said Dr Varfolomeev. ”I would like to note that most of the fuel is currently at the bottom under a layer of sand, but due to temperature changes, storms, and other factors, it may rise to the surface. We developed a comprehensive program that includes projects to detect such fuel oil ‘lenses’ as well as projects to eliminate pollution using chemical reagents, biological and mechanical methods. There are technologies that are ready to be tested right now.”
The scientist said that Kazan University has proposed a number of technologies and reagents that can be used to eliminate pollution both at sea and on land.
Roman Pavelyev, Lead Researcher at the Laboratory of Hydrate Technologies for Greenhouse Gas Utilization and Storage, gave a presentation entitled “Development of surface-active substances for cleaning sand from bitumen.” In his presentation, he introduced new methods for the effective removal of oil pollution using specialized surfactants.
Alexander Gordeev, Researcher at the Biocontrol Laboratory of the Institute of Ecology, Biotechnology, and Environmental Management, introduced a comprehensive technology for cleaning the coastline based on biosurfactants and destructive microorganisms. The development involves the use of biosurfactants and bacteria immobilized on mineral carriers that can safely and quickly decompose petroleum products in coastal areas.
The promising technological solutions presented by Kazan University scientists combine high efficiency and environmental safety, making them relevant for the restoration of natural areas.