Characterization of bentonites, fibrous and kaolinite clays with regard to their use in pelotherapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.122.3.008Keywords:
mineralogy, pelotherapy, special clays, toxic trace elementsAbstract
We have characterized the mineralogical and chemical contents of several Spanish special clays (bentonites, fibrous clays and kaolin). Mineralogical analyses revealed that the samples were composed mainly of phyllosilicates (78 %-99 %) with a notable presence of dioctahedral and trioctahedral smectites in the bentonites, kaolinite in the kaolin and sepiolite or palygorskite in the fibrous clays. Illite was the common subordinate mineral in the bentonites, kaolin and palygorskite. Quartz, calcite, dolomite and feldspars were found as associate minerals with the occasional presence of zeolites and amphiboles. The chemical analysis was consistent with the mineralogy. With regard to trace elements (V, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ba, Sb, Pb, U), the whole samples of the magnesium bentonites and sepiolites were found to have the lowest trace-element contents (<257,28 ppm ), whilst the aluminium bentonites, kaolin and particularly the palygorskite had higher contents than the other clays, with some elements occasionally exceeding the contents of previously studied common clays. Nevertheless, all the trace elements were found in lower quantities than the recommended toxicity levels and those quantities currently used in pelotherapy in Spanish spas.
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