sorbent
Material that absorbs
A sorbent is a material that absorbs or adsorbs other substances—liquids, gases, or dissolved matter.
Activated charcoal is a common sorbent in water filtration; silica gel packets are sorbents that pull moisture from the air.
The term appears in chemistry, environmental cleanup, and industrial contexts: Oil spill responders deployed sorbent booms to contain the slick.
Porous charcoal for filtration
- silica gelMoisture-absorbing granular material
- zeolitePorous aluminosilicate mineral
- aluminaOxide of a light metal
- bentoniteAsh-derived absorbent clay
charcoal · clay · polymer · cellulose · biochar · diatomaceous earth · vermiculite · peat
Moisture-absorbing material
- filterPorous separation device
- gas maskFace-worn air filter
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
- air purificationCleansing breathable atmosphere
chromatography · spill cleanup · dehumidifier · odor control · drug delivery · dialysis · respirator · packaging
Liquid rise in tubes
- porosityVoid space density
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- wickingLiquid drawn through fibers
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
retention · saturation · affinity · hygroscopy · surface area · binding · uptake · selectivity
Petroleum released into water
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- cleanupRestoration of order
- boomLoud deep sound
polypropylene · peat moss · hazmat · emergency response · groundwater · contamination · bilge · fuel spill
Manufactured therapeutic substances
- petrochemicalsCompounds derived from petroleum
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- miningExtracting earth's resources
- food processingIndustrial ingredient transformation
biotechnology · chemical manufacturing · oil refining · semiconductor · nuclear · water treatment · beverage · agriculture
activated carbon
Porous charcoal for filtration
- silica gelMoisture-absorbing granular material
- zeolitePorous aluminosilicate mineral
- aluminaOxide of a light metal
bentonite · charcoal · clay · polymer · cellulose · biochar · diatomaceous earth · vermiculite · peat · calcium chloride
desiccant
Moisture-absorbing material
- filterPorous separation device
- gas maskFace-worn air filter
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
air purification · chromatography · spill cleanup · dehumidifier · odor control · drug delivery · dialysis · respirator · packaging · aquarium filter
capillarity
Liquid rise in tubes
- porosityVoid space density
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- wickingLiquid drawn through fibers
diffusion · retention · saturation · affinity · hygroscopy · surface area · binding · uptake · selectivity · capacity
oil spill
Petroleum released into water
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- cleanupRestoration of order
boom · polypropylene · peat moss · hazmat · emergency response · groundwater · contamination · bilge · fuel spill · chemical spill
pharmaceuticals
Manufactured therapeutic substances
- petrochemicalsCompounds derived from petroleum
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
- miningExtracting earth's resources
food processing · biotechnology · chemical manufacturing · oil refining · semiconductor · nuclear · water treatment · beverage · agriculture · cosmetics
sorbentrepellent
Causes strong aversion
releaser · water repellent · release agent · barrier · emitter