EcoSystems Miracle Mud Analysis
Here are the results from a local lab (Northern Analytical Laboratories,
Inc., Merrimack, NH). The test performed was a "Glow Discharge Mass
Spectrometry 
". For this test,
major element readings (those above 10,000 ppm or 1%) are approximate, but
trace element quantities are very accurate.
Also included are the results obtained by Lars Sebralla , a hobbyist in
Germany. The test he performed was "X-ray
Fluorescence Spectrometry " and in his test,
the sample was first rinsed 3 times with de-ionized water. Their test did
not any record levels below 100 ppm and covered fewer elements.
All the data is shown here in parts per million (ppm).
| Element | Lars Sebralla | Inland Reef |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 53,200 | approx. 70,000 |
| Antimony | <100 | 0.85 |
| Arsenic | <100 | 1.0 |
| Barium | <100 | 60 |
| Beryllium | not tested | 0.75 |
| Bismuth | not tested | <0.1 |
| Boron | not tested | 3.7 |
| Bromine | <100 | <1.0 |
| Cadmium | <100 | <5.0 |
| Calcium | 24,300 | approx. 40,000 |
| Cerium | not tested | 8.0 |
| Cesium | not tested | <0.05 |
| Chromium | <100 | 19 |
| Chloride | 232 | 200 |
| Cobalt | <100 | 6.1 |
| Copper | <100 | 6.0 |
| Dysprosium | not tested | 1.5 |
| Erbium | not tested | 0.95 |
| Europium | not tested | 0.5 |
| Fluorine | not tested | 4.4 |
| Gadolinium | not tested | 2.2 |
| Gallium | not tested | <2.0 |
| Germanium | not tested | <2.0 |
| Gold | not tested | <0.1 |
| Hafnium | not tested | 0.45 |
| Holmium | not tested | 0.35 |
| Indium | not tested | <0.1 |
| Iodine | <100 | <0.05 |
| Iridium | not tested | <0.01 |
| Iron | 38,900 | approx. 40,000 |
| Lanthanum | not tested | 3.5 |
| Lead | <100 | 0.95 |
| Lithium | not tested | 3.5 |
| Lutetium | not tested | 0.2 |
| Magnesium | 11,000 | approx. 20,000 |
| Manganese | 649 | 700 |
| Mercury | <100 | <0.5 |
| Molybdenum | <100 | 40 |
| Neodymium | not tested | 4.6 |
| Nickel | <100 | 5.0 |
| Niobium | not tested | 1.0 |
| Osmium | not tested | <0.01 |
| Palladium | not tested | <5.0 |
| Phosphorus | 4,621 (as PO4) | 600 |
| Platinum | not tested | <0.1 |
| Potassium | 4,830 | 1,800 |
| Praseodymium | not tested | 1.0 |
| Rhodium | not tested | <0.5 |
| Rubidium | not tested | <1.0 |
| Ruthenium | not tested | <0.5 |
| Rhenium | not tested | <0.01 |
| Samarium | not tested | 1.3 |
| Scandium | not tested | <10 |
| Selenium | <100 | <5.0 |
| Silicon | 262,578 (as SiO2) | approx. 300,000 |
| Silver | <100 | <5.0 |
| Sodium | 6,820 | approx. 10,000 |
| Strontium | 174 | <20 |
| Sulfur | <100 | 32 |
| Tantalum | not tested | <1.0 |
| Tellurium | not tested | <0.5 |
| Terbium | not tested | 1.0 |
| Thallium | <100 | <0.05 |
| Thorium | not tested | 0.24 |
| Thulium | not tested | 0.1 |
| Tin | <100 | 0.5 |
| Titanium | 5,390 | 3,000 |
| Tungsten | not tested | <0.1 |
| Uranium | not tested | 0.076 |
| Vanadium | <100 | 100 |
| Ytterbium | not tested | 1.2 |
| Yttrium | <100 | <10 |
| Zinc | <100 | 30 |
| Zirconium | not tested | 15 |
Photomicrographs
(courtesy of Shane Graber)
Conclusions
The analysis indicates that Miracle Mud is 30% silicon. This mostly likely exists in Miracle Mud as silicon dioxide, which is most commonly found in nature as quartz. As pointed out by chemist Randy Holmes-Farley, the molecular weight of silicon makes up less than half the molecular weight of silicon dioxide. So if the silicon present is all in the form of silicon dioxide, then Miracle Mud is more than 63% quartz sand. This seems to be confirmed by the photos.
The high levels of metals (especially Aluminum, Iron and Titanium) are also a point of concern.
In addition, no traces of any marine sediment were found in any microscopic examination - no oolitic sand grains, no shell fragments, no diatoms or any other remnants of marine life. An acid test conducted by Shane Graber indicates that no carbonates are present in Miracle Mud. It is difficult to reconcile these facts with the manufacturer's claim that "Miracle Mud is 80% oceanic mud."
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