Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Geophagic Soils in Ghana: A Review

Abstract

Geophagy is practised all over the world but it is still challenging to attest to the safety of the practitioners as the provenance and geochemistry of clays ingested are not fully understood. Clay can form over all types of rocks but the mineralogical and chemical compositions may vary. Significance of provenance and geochemical studies in Southern Africa aided in the identification of some elements and minerals which upon their ingestion affect human developments to be reduced as part of recommendations from that investigation. Published articles in geophagy in Ghana indicate lack of investigations in provenance and geochemistry into clays used in geophagia, even though the practice is nationwide and very common in rural Ghana.  The variability of the geochemistry across landscape and different provenance of clays recognized elsewhere in similar geological settings motivated the review of geophagy in Ghana since similar clay occurrence can exist in similar geologic province. The after review comments by the authors is that the understanding of the provenance and geochemistry of clays used in the practice can lead to approval of removing or reducing some known toxic elements and minerals to make the practice safe and attractive and therefore recommend the investigation into provenance and geochemistry of clays to be used as geophagic materials in Ghana.