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Original Research | Environmental Science Studies | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 378 - 382 | Kazakhstan
Geochemical Characterization and Balneological Potential of Peloid Muds from Salt Lakes in Northern Kazakhstan: A Case Study of the Zhylykol and Saryoba Deposits
Abstract: The therapeutic mud (peloid) resources of Northern Kazakhstan remain largely unexplored despite the region's abundance of salt lakes. This study provides the first comprehensive geochemical characterization of peloids from two salt lakes of Northern Kazakhstan - Zhylykol lake in the Kostanay Region and Saryoba lake in the Akmola Region and evaluates their balneological potential. Elemental composition of mud samples was determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (BRA-18 "Burevestnik"). The results reveal two distinct peloid types: Zhylykol mud is enriched in silicon (up to 45.56 %), potassium (up to 1.36 %), and sodium (up to 1.69 %), indicating high clay content and pronounced anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties; Saryoba mud exhibits anomalously high concentrations of calcium (up to 6.27 %), magnesium (up to 5.18 %), iron (up to 3.84 %), phosphorus (up to 0.48 %), manganese (up to 0.11 %), and notably strontium (up to 0.22 %), suggesting pronounced osteotropic potential. Heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Hg) remain at trace levels, confirming the ecological purity of both deposits. Comparative analysis with world-renowned peloids (Saki Lake, Crimea; Dead Sea) indicates that the studied muds are comparable to established balneological standards. The findings suggest that Zhylykol mud represents a universal therapeutic agent, while Saryoba mud offers specialized osteotropic applications. These results provide a scientific basis for the potential use of Northern Kazakhstan?s peloids in spa therapy and health tourism and underscore the need for further organic matter characterization.
Keywords: Balneology, Therapeutic Mud, Peloids, Salt Lakes, Northern Kazakhstan, Geochemistry, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
How to Cite?: Zayna R. Zhussupbekova, Bibigul Zhumabekova, "Geochemical Characterization and Balneological Potential of Peloid Muds from Salt Lakes in Northern Kazakhstan: A Case Study of the Zhylykol and Saryoba Deposits", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 378-382, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26804231200, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26804231200