PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF POTASH (MANGUL) SOLD IN DAMATURU SUNDAY MARKET, YOBE STATE.

ABSTRACT

The term “potash” include various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water soluble form. The physicochemical parameters (solubility, density, pH, moisture content) was conducted using standard procedures and elemental analysis were carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), Digital Colorimeter and Flame Photometer. The solubility values for potash is 6.82 mg/L, the density of 2.50 (g/cm³), the pH of 12.83 and the moisture content for the sample was 3.17mg/L. The sodium content was 32.50±1.62 g/100g which is higher than all the concentration of the analytes hence, the concentration is within the acceptable permissible limit. The amount of Chloride detected in the sample 46.04±1.25 g/100g. Potassium and Sulphate were found to have the concentration of 14.70±0.73 g/100g and 1.95±0.10 g/100g respectively. The results indicated the presence of Aluminium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and Copper in the potash sample. While Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Nickel, Manganese, Lead, Chromium, Zinc, Arsenic, Selenium and Cobalt were not detected in the potash sample. The result of this study indicates that potash is essential source of elements required for growth and development. Therefore, it is recommended that potash due to its several industrial application can be used in production of material such as glass, soap and ceramics also potash is used as a source of potassium in production of potassium fertilizer which can boost agricultural productions.

Keywords: Physicochemical, Potash, Fertilizer, Analysis, Boost, Solubility.