The Main Cause of Geophagy According to Extensive Studies on Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal

From the novel results of comprehensive geological–hydrobiogeochemical studies conducted on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal), it follows that phenomenon geophagy among wild and domestic ungulates island is caused by deficiency light subgroup rare earth elements (LREE) in plant food natural waters, while not denying possible role other factors. This reflects low LREE specificity most abundant metamorphic terrigenous carbonate rocks island, as well their overlying eluvium–deluvium soils. The resulting landscapes may be cause imbalance nervous hormonal systems body, which makes animals regularly periodically consume clay (kaolinite) products from weathering, enriched with necessary nutritional elements. identified likely to extend a significant part cases animals, including humans, especially equatorial zone Earth.