Physico-chemical characteristics and therapeutic potential of Chutrun thermal springs in Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan)

Abstract

Current studies were performed to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and therapeutic potential of Chutrun thermal springs located in the North-west of Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan). Thermal springs with different mineral contents have been used by people for bathing and health purposes since old timings. The mineral water of these springs contains elements like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium as chlorides, fluorides, sulphates, phosphates and bicarbonates which may be responsible for cure of various diseases. Chutrun hot springs have 7.21–7.8 pH, 40–42° C Temperature, 300–310 ppm TDS, 3.1–6.7 ppm DO, 278–285 ppm hardness, 1.62–2.42 ppm turbidity, 250–260 ppm alkalinity, 500–516 ppm conductivity, 12–18 ppm sodium, 3.8–4.1 ppm potassium, 80–82 ppm calcium, 20 ppm magnesium, 9.6–12 ppm chlorides, 3.4–3.9 fluorides, 260–282 bicarbonates and 80–85 ppm sulphates. Absence of E.Coli and faecal coliforms indicated that waters from thermal springs are free from organic wastes contaminations. Water from thermal springs of Chutrun was unsuitable for drinking purposes due to the presence of high fluoride content and also small amount of total coliforms which may be due to the presence of environmental bacteria and non-protective measures during sampling but it was found suitable for bathing and other body contact activities.