Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of elephant geophagic soils in Udawalawe National Park,Sri Lanka |
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Authors: | Rohana Chandrajith Enoka Kudavidanage H J Tobschall C B Dissanayake |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka;(2) Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schlossgarten 5, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;(3) Conservation Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 4, 117543 Singapore, Singapore;(4) Department of Natural Resources, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Buttala, Sri Lanka |
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Abstract: | Geophagy or deliberate ingestion of soils was observed among Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Udawalwe National Park, Sri Lanka, for several years. The geochemical and mineralogical composition of the clayey
soil layers which are purposefully selected and eaten by elephants in the park were studied, in order to identify the possible
reasons for elephant geophagy. The concentrations of major and trace elements were determined by means of X-ray fluorescence
spectrometry in 21 soil samples from eight geophagic sites and six soil samples collected from four non-geophagic sites. The
mineralogical composition of selected soil samples was investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD). These geochemical analyses
revealed that geophagic soils in the study areas are deeply weathered and that most of the elements are leached from the soil
layers under extreme weathering conditions. The XRD data showed that the soils of the area consisted mainly quartz, feldspar,
and the clay minerals kaolinite, Fe-rich illite, and smectite. Although no significant geochemical differences were identified
between geophagic and non-geophagic soils, a clear difference was observed in their clay mineralogical content. Soils eaten
by elephants are richer in kaolinite and illite than non-geophagic soils, which contain a higher amount of smectite. It is
suggested that elephants in Udawalawe National Park ingest soils mainly not to supplement the mineral contents of their forage
but to detoxify unpalatable compounds in their diet. |
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Keywords: | Keyword" target="_blank">Keyword Mammalian herbivores Geophagy Soils Asian elephants Elephas maximus Clay minerals Udawalawe National Park |
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