Sequential Extraction and Determination of Mineral Contents in Deer's lick Soils in Northern Darfur

Abstract

This study aimed to measure the chemical characteristics of natural soil licks used by deers in Alkuma area (Northern Darfur), and to determine what type of minerals is the major attractant of deers to visit soil lick sites. Samples were collected from six soil licks fields and analyzed for physical and chemical properties, including pH values, moisture content, total water soluble solids and electrical conductivity, using the appropriate instruments. The mineral contents were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame photometry.Sequential extraction technique was applied using BCR sequential extraction procedure. The soil samples solutions showed high electrical conductivity values (mean 689.44/ms), basic pH values (mean 7.449), different moisture content values (mean 1.973%) and almost similar total soluble solids values (mean408.82 mg /L). The mineral content determination showed high concentrations of Iron Fe (267.278×10-3), Potassium K (131.67×10-3), Calcium Ca (55.633×10-3), Sodium Na (49.449×10-3) and Magnesium Mg (24.088×10-3). Cobalt was absent in all samples except No.8 (0.08ppm) and o.9 (0.13 ppm). Lead was not detected in any sample.Chromium, Manganese, Nickel, and Copper have considerable values (means 78.63×10-5%, 545.64×10-5%, 70.94×10-5%, 2.33×10-5%, respectively). Cadmium showed the lowest mean concentration between the all determined elements (mean 0.322×10-5%). The measured minerals were extracted in different steps, e.g. Sodium, magnesium, Nickel, Manganese, Zinc and Cadmium showed significant concentrations in all fractions. Potassium and calcium were almost extracted in the first fraction and small amounts in the second fraction. Chromium, Iron and Cobalt ions were almost extracted in the last fraction.