Sequential Extraction Characterization of Geophagic Soils

The consumption of soil and clay, geophagy, is wide spread and known from a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate flora, including humans. Several non exclusive hypotheses exist. To explain the functional and prevalence of geophagy among humans and non humans primates the common conclusion among these hypothesis is that geophagy is described by a physiological need. For self-medication and supplementation of mineral deficiencies as most of the studies of geophagy do not quantity animal uptake and use, direct correlation between soil use and soil characteristics become from reach. This work attempted to shed high light on soil characteristics using sequential extraction procedures. The obvious advantages of such procedures, it allow for judging the priorities of elements leaching from natural licks and availability of exchangeable and non exchangeable elements. The work also provided convening findings that support some of the hypothesis about geophagy among herbivores of wildlife is yet a vergin, area of Alkuma locality of northern Darfur.

Esraa Omer Adam Mohammed, M.Sc chemistry - Sudan University of Science and Technology. Part time lecturer in College of Science- Sudan University of Science and Technology.- Omer Adam M. Gibla, PhD. Chemistry, Sudan University of Science and Technology. Associate professor of Inorganic Chemistry College of Science.