ИСТИНА

Humic substances (HS) is a product of coevolution of life with its mineral surroundings. As a result, in nature, they occur as organomineral supramolecular complexes, which play multiple life-sustaining functions. The main working hypothesis here was that the chemical reactivities within these organomineral complexes could be partially reproduced by assembling interpolyelectrolyte complexes of HS with polysiloxanes, which possess high affinity for both mineral and biological surfaces. It was shown that the assembled humics-organosilane complexes were capable of immobilization onto mineral support and sequestration of waterborne contaminants (e.g., actinides in higher oxidation state, chromium (VI)). At the same time, they were capable of restoring waterproof properties of soil aggregates and caused pronounced growth stimulating effects on agriculturally important plants (wheat and potatoes). This shows good prospects for bringing nature-inspired nanotechnology solutions into the practice of remediation and agriculture.