Humic Derivatives Methods of Preparation and Use

(canceled)

A APTS-treated leonardite humic acid compound comprising about 4 to about 10 wt. % Si, about 50 to about 68 wt. % C, about 6 to about 9 wt. % H, about 4 to about 8 wt. % N, and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups, wherein the compound is able to react with hydroxyl-carrying surfaces forming covalent Si—O—Si or Si—O-M bonds, where M is a hydroxyl-carrying metal of mineral surface.

(canceled)

A humic-based scavenger comprising, a) about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a humic derivative compound comprising about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N;

• and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups;
• b) a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, water with salt, alkali, acid admixtures, an organic and mixtures thereof.

A humic-based scavenger comprising,

• a) about 0.5 to about 25 wt. % of a humic derivative compound comprising about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N;
• and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups;
• b) silica gel or other hydroxyl-carrying solid support.

A method of sequestering dissolved components having preferential affinity for humic substances comprising in combination the following steps, a) providing a liquid containing dissolved components having preferential affinity for humic substances;

• b) sequestering the dissolved component by contacting the dissolved components with a humic-based scavenger comprising,
• i) about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a humic derivative compound comprising about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N, and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups, and ii) water or an organic solvent to form an admixture;
• and c) adding a hydroxyl-carrying solid support to the admixture formed in step b) to remove the sequestered dissolved components.

A method of sequestering dissolved components having preferential affinity for humic substances comprising in combination the following steps, a) providing a liquid containing dissolved components having preferential affinity for humic substances;

• b) sequestering the dissolved components by contacting the dissolved components with a humic-based scavenger comprising, i) about 0.5 to about 25 wt. % of a humic derivative compound comprising about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N, and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups, and ii) silica gel or other solid mineral support to form an admixture;
• c) separating the sequestered dissolved solids from the admixture formed in step b).

An in situ reactive barrier located underground comprising a humic derivative compound immobilized onto mineral support, where the humic derivative compound comprises about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N, and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups, wherein the immobilized humic derivative compound prevents contaminants from spreading outside a pre-defined contamination zone.

A method of forming an in situ reactive barrier comprising in combination the following steps, a) identifying a zone of contamination within bed sediments of a water body, within a vadose zone, or within an aquifer;

• b) providing a water solution of a humic derivative compound, where the humic derivative compound comprises about 2 to about 12 wt. % Si, about 25 to about 68 wt. % C, about 2 to about 10 wt. % H, and about 0 to about 15 wt. % N, and about 0.1 to about 15 mmol/g alkoxysilyl-groups;
• and c) introducing a water solution of humic derivative either within or near the zone of contamination located in the bed sediments of the water body, the vadose zone, or the aquifer using wells or a surface irrigation system so as to prevent contaminants from spreading and enlarging the contamination zone.