Investigating Minerals Content of Trona Ore (Sudan)

Abstract

Trona is a natural salt which is traditionally used in Sudanese homes as food additive and for many other purposes.The aim of this study was to investigate the minerals content of Tronaores of Sudan. Trona ore samples were obtained from different markets .Two sample were purchased from Khartoum markets and three samples were obtained from Northern DarfourState (Elfasher). Macro, trace and toxic mineral contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. The five samples showed higher sulfur content ranging from (390 to13000 µg/L),potassium showed lower concentrations in all samples (9.5 -170 µg/L) as macro mineral,followed by Na (530 -1200 µg/L), Fe(69 - 1300 µg/L), Al (34 - 29000 µg/L), Mg (<0.59 - 1100 µg/L), P(48 - 170 µg/L), Ca (120 -520 µg/L) and Si (24 -560 µg/L). Boron was the most available trace mineral in samples (1,2,3and 4) ranging from (4.4 - 110 µg/L) and not detected in sample (No 5).The second available trace mineral was Mn (5.1 - 70 µg/L) ,followed by Cu (8.8 -17 µg/L) ,Cr (2.5 -16 µg/L), Zn(3.1 -13 µg/L) and Ti(1.2 - 10 µg/L). Pt ,V ,Ni and Co were detected in some samples .Sample (No5) showed mineral contents was clearly different from the other four samples. The main available macro minerals in this sample were S (390 µg/L), Na (530 µg/L),P (65 µg/L) and K( 12 µg/L). All toxic minerals showed low concentrations in the five samples or not detected. Sample (No.3) showed Sr (20 µg/L), Ba(7 µg/L) and Cd (5.3 µg/L).Sample (No.4) showed trace levels of As (20 µg/L),Sr (7.3 µg/L), Cd(4.3 µg/L),Ba(2.2 µg/L),Hg (1.2 µg/L) and Be (<0.12 µg/L).Sample (No5) was free from trace and toxic minerals . Pb and Sb are not detected in the five samples .The low toxicity content may indicate that, Trona as a natural product is highly safe for human consumption.