The physical and physicochemical properties of some Turkish thermal muds and pure clay minerals and their uses in therapy

Abstract

The physical and physicochemical properties of thermal muds (peloids) from 20 spas in Turkey were defined and comparedwith those of naturally pure clay minerals, smectite, illite, sepiolite, and kaolinite, to define the suitability of their use in pastes, masks,creams, and/or mud baths. The liquid and plastic limit values of the peloids show medium to high plasticity. The values of the pure clayminerals vary from 110 to 369 and 60 to 130, respectively, being higher than those of the peloid samples except for illite and kaolinite.The peloid samples show very soft, soft, semihard, hard, and fluid properties according to the consistency index. The CEC values of thepeloids vary from 10.11 to 36.01 meq/100 g. The abrasivity of the peloids and clay minerals ranges from 0.58 to 3.12 mg/m 2and 0.05 to0.37 mg/m 2 , respectively. The viscosity values of the peloid samples are variable and the thixotropic values are considerably higher insome peloid samples. In the pure clay minerals, sepiolite shows high values. The oil absorption capacity of sepiolite is higher than thatof the other clay minerals. The peloids with high CEC, swelling, and absorption capacity may be suitable for the removal of oils, toxins,and contaminants from the skin.