LAST UPDATED: September 2026
Shungite is a carbon-rich mineral found primarily in Karelia, Russia. Its unusual composition and structure have been studied for decades, particularly in relation to water purification, adsorption, carbon nanostructures, antimicrobial activity, electromagnetic shielding, and other materials-science applications.
Shungite has been used for centuries - its lore dates back to before the reign of Peter the Great. The locals knew about its mysterious "great powers” and used it for healing, and purifying water.
Peter the Great understood the powerful properties of this mineral - he even made all soldiers in his army to carry a piece of it during military campaigns, to purify water and use on their wounds. And, in 1719 he established Martial Waters, the first Russian Healing Spa on Lake Onega, for wounded soldiers first and then for the aristocracy later.
WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY ABOUT SHUNGITE?
- adsorption and water purification
- removal of organic and inorganic contaminants
- heavy-metal and radionuclide removal
- antimicrobial properties
- carbon and fullerene-related structures
- antioxidant behavior of fullerene C60
- electromagnetic shielding
- environmental and industrial applications
The strength of evidence varies by application. Some findings concern Shungite itself, while others concern purified or modified carbon materials and C60 fullerenes rather than finished Shungite products.
Below, we've collected scientific papers and academic sources on Shungite and related carbon structures so you can explore the research directly. Much of the original research comes from Russia and Eastern Europe, where Shungite has been studied and used in industrial and environmental applications for many years.
Extensive scientific research, for the most part conducted in Russia, shows that Shungite’s unusual properties come from its complex chemical composition as well as the presence of carbon-based fullerenes.
In 1996, Robert F. Curl Jr., Sir Harold W. Kroto and Richard E. Smalley received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of fullerenes.
Sometimes called a Buckyball, it resembles a soccer ball and is named after the famous architect Buckminster Fuller because its form reminds of the pattern of the geodesic dome he created.
Fullerenes are carbon molecules whose structures and properties have since become an important area of research in chemistry, materials science and nanotechnology.
These carbon-based molecules have strong anti-microbial and antibacterial properties as well as a proven unique ability to act as long-lasting antioxidants. Fullerenes are effective even in very small doses and the benefits can last for months.
*see patent RU2270801 that confirms the presence of fullerenes in Shungite: Способ выделения фуллеренов из шунгита (Method for isolating fullerenes from shungite)
Shungite has adsorption, catalytic and anti-bacterial properties:
- As a sorbent, it possesses unparalleled antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It purifies air and water from many organic and inorganic compounds (sorbent noun: from Latin sorbēre to suck up, draw in, engulf)
- As a catalyst, Shungite ensures decomposition and restoration of sorbed organic substances
- As a carrier of multiple microelements and biologically active substances, Shungite intensifies biological processes in humans, animals and plants
- As a natural antioxidant, it can prevent cell damage by neutralizing free radicals, increase immunity and help with inflammation
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A unique material, Shungite actively interacts with various electromagnetic fields (anthropogenic high-frequency, solar, geo-pathogenic, bio-fields) and neutralizes their negative impact
Because of these properties, research shows that Shungite might help
- kill a wide variety of bacteria and other pathogens
- remove pesticides and pharmaceuticals
- absorb various organic and inorganic toxins, chemicals, chlorine, nitrates as well as heavy metals
Many conclusions on the physicochemical and biological properties of Shungite are well structured by a Russian researcher A.P. Ponomarev in his monograph "Горная порода шунгит – физико-химические и биологические свойства (shungite rock – physicochemical and biological properties)
Physicochemical Properties
• Unique Composition and Structure. Shungite is a natural composite of amorphous carbon in the form of fullerene-like globules (10–30 nm) uniformly distributed within a mineral matrix (quartz, silicates). This structure determines its unique characteristics.
• Density and Strength. Ranges from 2.1–2.4 g/cm³, porosity up to 5%, compressive strength 100–120 MPa.
• Electrical Conductivity. Reaches approximately 1500 sym/m. • Thermal Conductivity. Approximately 3.8 W/(m K).
• Sorption Properties. High capacity – up to 20 m²/g. Effectively removes organic pollutants (oil products, pesticides), heavy metals, and radionuclides from water.
• Catalytic Activity. Participates in oxidation reactions, including converting metal cations dissolved in water into insoluble carbonates.
• Chemical resistance. Durable and resistant to many reagents.
Biological properties
• Biological activity. Aqueous extracts of shungite exhibit a broad spectrum of activity, including bactericidal and antioxidant properties.
• Role of fullerenes and microelements. Although fullerenes are often associated with positive biological effects, research emphasizes the importance of the entire complex: it contains macro-, micro-, and ultra-microelements, including rare earth elements (REEs). REEs are capable of forming complexes with biomolecules (for example, with phosphate residues of cell membranes and nucleic acids), which influences interactions with microorganisms.
• Interaction with living systems. Shungite can influence the growth and properties of microorganisms, as well as certain biological processes. General conclusions
• Shungite is a natural material with a synergistic effect: its unique structure (carbon in the form of globules in a silicate matrix) generates a complex of properties that have practical applications.
• Its potential extends beyond traditional uses (for example, in water filters). The combination of sorption, catalytic, and biological properties opens up prospects in biotechnology, the creation of new materials with shielding properties, and other fields.
• However, a number of aspects require further study: the mechanisms of interaction between shungite components and biological systems, the long-term effects of application, and the standardization of compositions for specific applications.
REFERENCES
We've compiled a comprehensive list of formal science articles about this rare material. As it is only mined in Russia, many of the papers are in Russian. We've linked to most relevant articles in both English and Russian, so that you can read the studies for yourself.
WATER PURIFICATION & ADSORPTION
Сорбционные свойства исходных и модифицированных шунгитовых пород различного генезиса (Sorption properties of original and modified shungite rocks of various genesis)
The main conclusion of the study
Targeted modification of shungite rocks (acidic, alkaline, or thermal) can simultaneously increase their sorption activity and reduce the leaching of undesirable chemical elements.
The optimal treatment method directly depends on the type of rock (its genesis). Specific recommendations are as follows:
For sodium-type shungite rocks, alkaline treatment is the most effective. It increases the sorption of heavy metals (nickel, copper, zinc) by more than 100%.
For potassium-type shungite rocks, acidic and thermal treatments are preferable. Thermal treatment at 800°C significantly (more than threefold) increases copper sorption by this rock.
Thus, the key to effective water purification using shungite rocks is to consider their original mineral composition and select appropriate pretreatment.
These findings open up prospects for targeted improvement of the properties of shungite raw materials in water treatment technologies.
- Неорганические материалы, 2023, T. 59, № 7 (Inorganic Materials, 2023, Vol. 59, No. 7)
A giant Palaeoproterozoic deposit of shungite in NW Russia: genesis and practical applications
“Shungite is an effective sorbent for removal of organic and inorganic substances, pathogenic bacteria and heavy metals from contaminated water.”
- Ore Geology Reviews
General Conclusion
The proposed approach using an aqueous shungite extract demonstrates potential for effective water purification from bacterial microflora by binding the organic component.
- Водоснабжение и санитарная техника», 2017 г. (Water supply and sanitary engineering, 2017)
The structure and composition of natural carbonaceous fullerene containing mineral shungite
“…It is shown that the water passed through Shungite has a general revitalizing effect on the body, reduces skin irritation, itching, rash, effective in vegetative-vascular dystonia, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney stones and other diseases [19]. Shungite-based water filters have been developed and utilized in Russia since 1995. Now there is a certain number of large companies in the field of water purification that manufacture household and industrial filters based on natural Shungite mineral.
Absorptional, catalytic, and reduction-oxydation properties of Shungite favors its use in water treatment and water purification technologies, i.e. in treatment of sewage waters from many organic and inorganic substances (heavy metals, ammonia, organochlorine compounds, petroleum products, pesticides, phenols, surfactants, etc.). In addition, Shungite has a strongly marked biological activity and bactericidal properties.”
- International Journal of Advanced Scientific and Technical Research
Research of Influence of Shungite for Activation of Mountain Water from Different Mountain Sources.
“ In addition, owing to adsorption activity of shungite against pathogenic microflora, shungite has strong bactericidal properties that allow utilizing this mineral in efficient disinfection of drinking water in water treatment and water purification technologies. Bactericidal activity of shungite has been observed against pathogenic saprophytes and Protozoa. There is evidence that after the passage of water containing bacterium E. coli, through shungite filter there results in almost complete removal of this bacterium.
… valuable properties of shungite – adsorptional, bactericidal, catalytic, reduction-oxidation properties, as well as the ability of shungite minerals to screen off electromagnetic and radio radiations. These properties have made the use of shungite in various scientific fields, industry and technology, for creating on its basis a variety of new nano-technological materials with nano-molecular structure.”
- Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing
Treated carbon pulls radioactive elements from water
"Treated carbon pulls radioactive elements from water: Researchers at Rice, Kazan universities develop unique sorbents, target Fukushima accident site."
- Rice University
Oxidatively modified carbon as an efficient material for removing radionuclides from water
Main conclusion
Oxidized-modified carbon (OMC) is an effective, inexpensive, and practical material for removing radionuclides from water.
OMC represents a promising alternative to more complex and expensive materials, offering a practical solution for water purification from radionuclides.
Practical application. The material is easily synthesized and compatible with conventional filtration systems (filter columns).
Environmental benefits. After sorption, OMC can be safely disposed of.
- International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
Optimizing Water Purification Through Comparative Analysis of Adsorption Capabilities of Type I and Type III Shungite
"This study highlights the high potential of natural Shungite, particularly Type I from the Zazhoginsky deposit, as a reactive geochemical medium for the removal of potentially toxic elements from contaminated water. The dual role of Shungite, as both a physical and chemical filter, is supported by its micro- and mesoporous structure, high surface area, and the presence of oxygenated functional groups that enhance its sorptive capacity."
Main results
After 7 days, Type I removal rates were: 32.5% for mercury, 14.9% for lead, 20.8% for cadmium, 32.7% for arsenic, 13.6% for zinc, and 21.0% for aluminum.
Microbial cell counts were reduced to 0.24 log₁₀ for total coliforms and to 0.18 log₁₀ for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus.
Methods for minimizing negative effects are discussed, such as pre-rinsing or combining shungite with activated carbon.
Conclusion: Shungite demonstrates potential as a universal sorbent and reaction medium, particularly for cationic metals and microbial indicators. The proposed metrics allow for direct comparison with traditional carbon and mineral adsorbents under comparable conditions.
- Carbon, Volume 115
Microbiological and Chemical Properties of Shungite Water
Main conclusion
Shungite water exhibits specific antimicrobial activity against a number of gram-negative bacteria, but its effect is not universal and depends heavily on conditions (availability of nutrients, specific microorganism species).
At the same time, shungite effectively purifies water from a wide range of chemical contaminants. However, due to the risk of metal leaching during long-term use, the composition of this water must be carefully monitored.
- Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, 2022
SHUNGITE & CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES
Mинерал шунгит. Cтруктура и свойства. The mineral shungite: Structure and properties.
Practical Significance
The resulting nanopowders and composites based on them are used in various industries:
• Aerospace (modified epoxy resins for carbon fiber).
• Construction (radio shielding coatings, wear-resistant self-leveling floors). •
Production of protective coatings and sorbents with improved performance properties.
Conclusion:
Shungite is a promising natural filler for epoxy polymers, enabling the creation of materials with a range of valuable properties. Modern microscopy methods play a key role in the development of such composites, providing insight into the structure and behavior of the material at the nanoscale. More research is needed.
- NanoIndustry Journal
ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING AND EMF RESEARCH
Summary
Concentration dependence. Increasing the proportion of shungite in the composite changes its electromagnetic properties: the EMR transmittance decreases, the reflectivity increases, and the absorption coefficient and effective absorption increase.
Frequency dependence. The nature of the absorption curve as a function of frequency shows that with increasing frequency, the composite's radar absorption properties increase, even though the reflectivity also increases.
Practical prospects. The authors believe that shungite has potential as a filler for creating effective radar-absorbing materials and electromagnetic shields. Such solutions could find application in areas with high EMR density: for protecting people from unwanted influences, in radio engineering, for information security, and for military purposes.
- Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol 99, No 2 (2025)
Radar-Shielding and Microwave-Absorbing Properties of Composite Materials Based on Shungite
The main conclusion
the combination of finely dispersed shungite and urea-formaldehyde resin exhibits good shielding and microwave-absorbing properties.
The authors attribute this to the fact that this composite forms an interconnected network of conductive and dielectric components that effectively attenuates electromagnetic waves.
The practical significance of the study is that the obtained data can serve as a basis for the creation of effective radar-absorbing materials and electromagnetic shields. Such solutions have potential applications in radio engineering, protection against unwanted electromagnetic radiation, information security systems, and defense.
- Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol 97, No 2 (2023)
Substantiation of the Possibility of using Shungite as an effective Radio-absorbing Material
Key findings of the study
The effectiveness of using shungite as a filler for construction mixtures or in combination with binders (gypsum, phosphogypsum) to create protective coatings for walls and wall materials against electromagnetic radiation has been demonstrated.
The optimal ratio of components in such mixtures was found to be 50–60% shungite and 40–50% of the other component (binder).
The frequency range in which effective absorption of electromagnetic energy is observed is 3–12 GHz. With increasing shungite concentration in the studied samples, an increase in absorption capacity was observed (values reaching 24 dB/cm).
Thus, the results of the study confirm the potential of shungite as a material for radio-absorbing coatings in construction, which may be relevant in conditions with elevated levels of electromagnetic pollution.
- Russian Journal of Building Construction and Architecture
Mobile phone induced EMF stress is reversed upon the use of protective devices: results from two experiments testing different boundary conditions.
Summary
The tested Shungite devices included… a raw Shungite pendant, and a Shungite chip attached to the mobile phone. The authors reported lower heart-rate variability and higher salivary cortisol during the tested phone exposure, with the Shungite-device conditions reversing those changes relative to baseline.
- Electromagnetic biology and medicine
Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of lightweight and flexible ultrathin shungite plates
Summary
This study concluded that using shungite shielding plates, electromagnetic radiation is significantly reduced.
- Current Applied Physics
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES
The Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite
"The experimental data indicate that bread samples No. 1 and 2 in terms of their organoleptic characteristics meet the regulatory requirements, and the physical and chemical properties of bread sample No.1 are above the recommended values.Bread sample No. 2 prepared from the dough using water infused with the natural material shungite has a shelf life of 60 days and is not prone to the development of potato blight. In contrast, the shelf life of bread sample No. 1 made of dough prepared with ordinary drinking water is only 6 days."
- Advancements in Life Sciences
The structure and composition of natural carbonaceous fullerene containing mineral shungite
….Shungite has a broad spectrum of bactericidal properties; this mineral is adsorptive active against some bacterial cells, phages, and pathogenic saprophytes…
- International Journal of Advanced Scientific and Technical Research
FULLERENES & ANTIOXIDANT RESEARCH
Способ выделения фуллеренов из шунгита (Method for isolating fullerenes from shungite)
- patent RU2270801
Biological Effects of C60 Fullerene Revealed with Bacterial Biosensor—Toxic or Rather Antioxidant?
“The ability of C60 to penetrate through biological membranes, conduct protons, and interact with free radicals is likely responsible for its protective effect detected for E. coli. Thus, fullerene can be considered as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, worth further researching as a prospective component of novel medications.”
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnologies, Russia, Biosensors 2019
[60]Fullerene is a Powerful Antioxidant in Vivo with No Acute or Subacute Toxicity
“Our results show that aqueous C60 suspensions prepared without using any polar organic solvent not only have no acute or sub-acute toxicity in rodents but they also protect their livers in a dose-dependent manner against free-radical damage.”
- ACS Publications
AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES
Influence of Dietary Addition of Mineral Shungite and Fucus vesiculosus on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrients Digestibility, and Immunity Status of Laying Hens
"We can conclude that the inclusion of thermally modified mineral shungite and the dried seaweed meal F. vesiculosus with different doses in the diets of Brown Nick cross laying hen diets improves the egg quality through increasing the average egg weight laid, protein content in eggs and vitamin A in the yolk, the utilization of lysine and methionine nutrients, hemoglobin content, immunity status, while decreasing the incidence of fatty liver occurrence."
- National Library of Medicine
Crop Enhancement of Cucumber Plants under Heat Stress by Shungite Carbon.
Key Findings
Improved phenotype. Plants treated with shungite showed a healthier appearance: their leaves were dark green, compared to the pale leaves of the control group.
Reduced oxidative damage. The content of monodehydroascorbate (a marker of oxidative stress) in the leaves of treated plants was 34% lower than in the control group.
Activation of the antioxidant system. Shungite treatment significantly increased the activity of enzymes that neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS). This helped the plants cope with stress more effectively.
Supported photosynthesis. Treated plants had higher chlorophyll content, larger leaf area, and a higher rate of photosynthesis.
Molecular mechanisms. Treated plants showed a more active accumulation of genes responsible for the response to heat, as well as genes associated with the metabolism of photosynthetic pigments and the process of photosynthesis itself.
Conclusion
Pre-treatment of soil with shungite—an affordable and natural material—increases cucumbers' resistance to heat stress and enhances their antioxidant defenses.
The authors see this as a potential solution for agriculture, where extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly frequent.
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 09 Jul 2020, 21(14):E4858
Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite
"....Bread sample No. 2 prepared from the dough using water infused with the natural material shungite has a shelf life of 60 days and is not prone to the development of potato blight. In contrast, the shelf life of bread sample No. 1 made of dough prepared with ordinary drinking water is only 6 days."
- Advancements in Life Sciences
Researched and compiled by Marina Likhov, Modern ŌM
*We regularly update this resource as we find additional peer-reviewed research and academic publications on Shungite.
