PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IGALO BAY PELOID (MONTENEGRO) AND ASSESSMENT OF THE POLLUTION OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN THE SAMPLING AREA
Miljan Bigović
Abstract
Igalo (Montenegro) is known for a number of natural therapeutic factors (sea peloid, mineral water, sand and salt), is close to the sea and is extremely valuable. Peloid from Igalo is known as a resort of healing, cosmetic or aesthetic application. Also, there are studies of medical application and biological activity of some other peloids, which are directly related to their chemical composition. In this paper we analysed the content of light and potentially toxic elements as well as the most important non-metals present in the composition of peloid and listed their main and well-known biological roles. The chemical composition of the Igalo peloid was compared with several peloids from the region (Croatia, Italy, Spain), as well as the chemical composition of peloids obtained from the Dead Sea, because these peloids showed an extraordinary therapeutic potential and they are already used for medical purposes (spa centres, balneotherapy etc.). Also, we have determined some environmental indicators based on the data of the content of metals. The obtained value means that there is no potentially toxic element pollution in the sediment.