SAPROPEL

SAPROPEL, mineral and organic sediments of swamps, lakes, ponds, etc, formed as a result of physical and biochemical processes. S. colloids, impregnated with mineralized water or brines, consist of alumina and iron oxide hydrates, iron sulphide and clay particles. S. are used in balneotherapy, in agriculture as a fertilizer. In the Bashkir Pre‑Urals, the total of approx. 50 million m3 S. is deposited in the bayou lakes of the basins of the Belaya and Dyoma rivers, in Asylykul and Kandrykul lakes, near mineral springs, etc. S. of the Syrian‑Tuba Lake (Gafuriysky Raion) are represented by black, dark gray and gray sludge with moisture content of 42.6—49.7%, average volume weight of 1.34 g/cm3, contamination with vegetation residue, sand 3%, content of organic substances 3.8—4.0%, sulphides 0.13—0.16%, mineralization 3.7 g/l; sulfate sodium‑calcium. The largest S. deposits in the Bashkir Trans‑Urals are associated with lakes Talkas, Uzunkul, Urgun, Chebarkul, etc with the total volume of more than 120 million m3. S. of the Muldakkul Lake is represented by black sludge with humidity up to 83%, volume weight of 1.25 g/cm3; sulfate chloride‑sodium. S. is used at Assy, Karagay, Krasnousolsk, Yakty­Kul, Yangan­Tau and other health resorts.