Researchers in Russia have created a water purification technology using buckwheat husks, offering an affordable and eco-friendly method to remove heavy metals from water sources.
NOVOSIBIRSK: Scientists at the Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed a new eco-friendly method for purifying water using buckwheat husks — an abundant agricultural by-product in Russia. This innovation is aimed at removing heavy metals from wastewater and natural water bodies.
The research, conducted in Novosibirsk, involved creating a biosorbent made from processed buckwheat husks. These husks are rich in melanin, a natural polymer known for its ability to absorb metal ions. By modifying the structure of melanin through a mechanochemical treatment process, the scientists successfully enhanced the material’s ability to trap pollutants without compromising its stability.
“Our biosorbent should work both independently for local water purification and in other systems for running water,” said senior researcher Tatyana Skripkina. The purification material can be used in household water filter cartridges or integrated into larger industrial and municipal systems.
The production technique requires only a small percentage of oxidants — about five percent — making it both cost-effective and scalable. Initial trials were carried out in laboratory-scale mills, and the process is now being adapted for industrial production capable of handling several tonnes per hour.
As buckwheat husks are readily available and inexpensive, this technology offers a sustainable solution for communities facing water contamination from industrial or environmental sources.
