Abstract
The aim was to assess the stability of the chemical composition of the groundwater in terms of maintaining the status of therapeutic waters in accordance with the Geological and Mining Law in Poland. The basis for the analysis was the results of stationary observations for nine hydrogeological wells for the needs of the Mineral Water Bottling Plant “Piwniczanka”. The database used for the analysis covered the years 2008–2018 and concerned the content of selected ions as well as total dissolved solids and CO2 content. For each of the analyzed boreholes, the analysis of the variability of the content was performed using graphical Schoeller–Berkaloff plots and statistical investigations (GWSDAT and STATISTICA). This hydrogeochemical investigation has demonstrated that groundwater in the Piwniczna area occur as natural “carbonated waters” and “waters containing carbon dioxide”. Summing up the analysis, it can be stated that the content of basic ions of the exploited water show a small variability and does not threaten the loss of therapeutic water status for seven of the boreholes. Two of them have a little risk of loss of therapeutic water status. Variable content of sodium ions causes changes in the hydrogeochemical type of water without affecting the maintenance of the status.
Highlights
On the Schoeller–Berkaloff chart, the concentrations of individual ions, natural gas CO2 . and total dissolved solid mineral components (TDS) values were plotted on vertical, auxiliary axes according to a logarithmic scale (Figure 4)
Analyzing the results of water tests performed, as well as land development and the condition of the environment in the area of the abstraction, it should be expected that the abstracted therapeutic water will be characterized by the stability of the chemical composition, with natural variability in this respect being observed
The hydrogeochemical data indicate that analyzed groundwaters are characterized by the dominance a HCO3 -Ca-Mg-(Na) water type
Summary
Therapeutic water, according to the Polish Geological and Mining law [1], means groundwater that is not contaminated chemically or microbiologically and, has a natural variability of physical and chemical characteristics, with the contents of total dissolved solid mineral components (TDS)—not less than 1000 mg·dm−3 —or unbound carbon dioxide—not less than 250 mg·dm−3 —except that 250 to 1000 mg·dm−3 are “waters containing carbon dioxide” (“wody kwasoweglowe” in Polish), and above 1000 mg·dm−3 are “carbonated waters” (“szczawy” in Polish).Therapeutic waters are a special type of groundwater that—due to their specific composition and physical and chemical properties—are used for preventive, rehabilitation, and healing purposes [2,3].The abstraction of natural mineral-rich water may prove to be relevant for primary prevention against osteoporosis risk fracture as a complement, or even an alternative, to hormone therapy [3].In recent years, bottled drinking water has emerged as an easy way through which potable water is supplied to consumers. Therapeutic water, according to the Polish Geological and Mining law [1], means groundwater that is not contaminated chemically or microbiologically and, has a natural variability of physical and chemical characteristics, with the contents of total dissolved solid mineral components (TDS)—not less than 1000 mg·dm−3 —or unbound carbon dioxide—not less than 250 mg·dm−3 —except that 250 to 1000 mg·dm−3 are “waters containing carbon dioxide” (“wody kwasoweglowe” in Polish), and above 1000 mg·dm−3 are “carbonated waters” (“szczawy” in Polish). Therapeutic waters are a special type of groundwater that—due to their specific composition and physical and chemical properties—are used for preventive, rehabilitation, and healing purposes [2,3]. Based on the water sources and treatment processes, bottled water is generally categorized into mineral, spring, purified (distilled), and carbonated water.
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