Organoclays Are Effective Sorbents for Hydrocarbons from Crude Oil and Petroleum Products

Contamination of biospheric components with hydrocarbons from oil and petroleum products is one of the most dangerous forms of environmental pollution. This review characterizes new, effective hydrocarbon sorbents—organoclays, demonstrates the complex chemical composition of oil and petroleum products and shows their adsorbate properties based on published data. While existing papers have adequately addressed the adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons by organoclays, data on alkanes adsorption is practically nonexistent. High efficiency of adsorption and retention of oil hydrocarbons by various organoclays has been demonstrated. Possible models and mechanisms of adsorption of organic substances on organoclays are discussed. Some poorly studied issues concerning the adsorption of oil hydrocarbons by the sorbents under consideration are indicated