Ecological Significance of the Quality of Spring Water Sources for Humans Domestic and Drinking Purposes on an Example of the Orenburg Region

Abstract

The new data of potable waters study at number of springs of the Orenburg region are considered in the article. Hydrogeological conditions and hydrogeochemical characteristics of drained groundwater were estimated on the example of erosion springs. Using different classifications, waters of two types with mineralization of 0.2-0.4 g/dm3 bicarbonate, less often sulfate-bicarbonate magnesium-calcium, calcium-magnesium (C, SC MgCa. CaMg) were identified. The sources of fresh water in springs drained from terrigenous-carbonate aquifers in deposits of the Upper Carboniferous, Tatarian, Kazanian, and Santonian Stages with mineralization of 0.22-0.411g/dm3 were studied. The water has a low hardness of 3.8-5.69 mg-eq/L with a carbonate hardness of 3.6-5.0 mg-eq/L that is suitable for drinking purposes. Following O.A. Alekin, the types of magnesium-calcium (Mg Ca), calcium-magnesium (Ca Mg) waters in the springs were identified by cations. The magnesium content ranges from 18 to 48 mg/L. The content of macro components is a significant component of the human life expectancy. In a result of study, recommendations on the use of underground spring waters as a potable water of good quality are made. This knowledge is important for the use of high-quality drinking water without consequences for human health and human ecology.