Assessment of Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite for Remediation of Mercury-Contaminated Environment

The soil at ancient roasting sites in the surroundings of Idrija mine (Slovenia) is highly contaminated with mercury. To assess impact mercury on groundwater by infiltration and find an eco-friendly remediation method, leaching from containing 1347 mg Hg/kg, followed sorption total leached cost-effective natural zeolite (NZ) clinoptilolite, was performed. ultrapure water pHo = 3.00–11.46 after 24 h resulted concentration range 0.33–17.43 µg/L. Much higher concentrations (136.9–488.0 µg/L) were determined first few hours high above maximum permissible level for human consumption. NZ showed very good mercury, a removal efficiency 94.2%. presence significant decrease (1.9–20.3 µg/L compared to 12.8–42.2 µg/L), efficiencies up 90.5%, indicating immobilization species. has great potential economically viable mercury-contaminated environment. However, efforts should be made further study leachability reduce acceptable levels.