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Composition, quality, and certification of some Tunisian thermal muds used in pelotherapy

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize and evaluate the suitability and the quality criteria of two Tunisian peloids taken from the medical thermal stations of Jebel El Oust (JOp) and Korbous (Kp) in northeastern of Tunisia. These peloids are used for the treatment of dermatological pathologies, muscle and bone traumas, and rheumatic pathologies. Their mineralogical and chemical composition was determined respectively by means of X-ray “powder and aggregate” diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and grain size distribution were also carried out for the same purpose. On the other hand, quality, purity, and stability of these thermal muds were evaluated using pharmacotechnical tests (BET surface area, pH, plasticity index, cooling kinetic rate, and CEC). Furthermore, these peloids were compared to those of the Dax thermal station (TERDAX) in France and the natural Tunisian peloids of Kalaa Sghira (Ka).

In fact, the mineralogical composition of the Tunisian thermal mud is dominated by illite and kaolinite while the natural and commercial peloids are more heterogeneous as they are made up of various clay minerals, quartz, feldspars, and accessories. In the natural peloids, relatively large quantities of quartz preclude their uncontrolled manipulation.

In terms of chemical composition, mainly trace elements, such as those considered to be toxic (Pb and As). The Plomb has been detected only in TERDAX but in much higher concentration (34 ppm) than the necessary limits, while Arsenic was contained in the highest concentration in the TERDAX, Kp, and Ka (112 ppm) samples but not in the K0 or Jebel El Oust samples. Therefore, according to these results and with respect to several parameters traditionally used in pelotherapy, it is possible to conclude that the Tunisian peloids (JOp) are well prepared for an external use whereas with the other peloids, a special attention must be paid to the presence of toxic elements and quartz, which could represent a hindrance for their possible use.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the all workers in the thermal station of Jebel El Oust, Korbous, and the Dax thermal center for kindly providing us with the peloids and raw materials used in this study.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Samir Mefteh & Mounir Medhioub

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  1. Samir Mefteh
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Mefteh, S., Medhioub, M. Composition, quality, and certification of some Tunisian thermal muds used in pelotherapy. Arab J Geosci 14, 2140 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08532-y

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