Determination of Trace Elements in Human Hair and Nails as a measure of the Nutritional Imblance in Kassala State,Using XRF Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this thesis the element minerals in the human hair and fingernails(350 samples) from inhabitants of Kassala State ,eastern Sudan were assessed by performing X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) analysis. The objective of the study was to determine the element composition of the human hair and fingernails substance and to provide data for the long-term losses of nutrients by this routine.The elements investigation in the samples are:Fe,Zn,Cu,Mn,Bi,Pb,Ni,Ti,Zr,Co,V and Cr,it is found that mean concentration of Zr are equal in all study area,Co high concentration in Kassala ,Aroma,Shamal eldelta and Telkok,V high concentration in Refi Kassala ,Shamal eldelta and Hameshkoreb,Cu high concentration in Kassala ,Aroma andShamal eldelta ,Fe high concentration in Aroma, Telkok and Wadelhelaw,Mn high concentration in Kassala ,Aroma,Shamal eldelta and Hameshkoreb,Bi are equal in all study area ,Pb high concentration in Kassala ,Telkok andShamal eldelta ,Ni high concentration in Aroma ,Shamal eldelta and Wadelhelaw,Cr high concentration in Kassala ,Hameshkoreb and Wadelhelaw,Ti high concentration in Kassala ,Refi Kassala andShamal eldelta The elelments Pb,Bi and Cr found in the samples indicating pollutions in the area of study may be came from water or nutrient. The trace elements Fe,Zn,Cu and Mn the mean concentrations of which change from one area to another,in view of spectroscopic analysis of hair and nails,reflect the nutritional practices that explain the spread of anemia in some respective area,this means the results difer from one area to another .This study may be considered as a part of national project indicating malnutrition map expected to over other areas of Sudan and where othor spectroscopy techniques may be used.