Banja Spa Research Articles

Climatic Elements as Development Factors of Health Tourism in South Serbia

The area of Southern Serbia is the most undeveloped tourist area and is marginalized in relation to the total tourist traffic of Serbia. With the purpose of health tourism development, special attention in this paper is focused on five spas and four mountain tourist destinations of South Serbia. The interaction of climatic elements is key for outdoor tourist activities, thus the potential of health tourism is presented through the results of the tourism climate comfort index (TCCI). According to TCCI values calculated for one climatological period 1991–2020, the spa tourist destinations of South Serbia are generally favorable during May, June and September. Four studied mountain destinations have favorable TCCI values generally during June, July and August. Spatio-temporal analysis utilizing ESRI ArcMap software showed that the most favorable conditions for health tourism development occur during spring and autumn for spas (May and June) and during summer for mountain destinations (July and August), which coincides with the ideal TCCI values. MatLab software through linear regression showed that in the period of 2010–2020, a negative tendency of tourists’ number in Vranjska banja spa and Niška banja spa is noticed, and a positive tendency for Prolom banja spa and Sijarinska banja spa. The paper also highlights the perspectives of other tourism forms of development in South Serbia.

Radium interference during radon measurements in water: comparison of one- and two-phase liquid scintillation counting.

Assessment of radiation exposure to drinking, surface, and groundwater and of the associated health risks calls for accurate and precise 226Ra and 222Rn measurements. One method that fits the bill is liquid scintillation counting (LSC), which allows measurements in one-phase (homogenous) or two-phase samples. The aim of our study was to compare the measurement efficiency with both variations in Niška Banja spa water, known for its elevated 222Rn content to get a better insight into the stability and behaviour of the samples and 226Ra interference in samples spiked with 226Ra with 222Rn measurement. 226Ra interference was more evident in homogenous, one-phase and much lower in two-phase samples. However, one-phase samples offer more accurate indirect 226Ra measurements. Water-immiscible cocktails (in two-phase samples) have shown a limited capacity for receiving 222Rn generated by Ra decay from the aqueous to organic phase when 222Rn/226Ra equilibrium is reached. We have also learned that samples with naturally high 222Rn content should not be spiked with 226Ra activities higher than the ones found in native samples and that calibration of two-phase samples can be rather challenging if measurements span over longer time. Further research would require much lower 226Ra activities for spiking to provide more practical answers to questions arising from the demonstrated phenomena.

Variations in seasonality in spa centres of Serbia

Seasonality of tourist demand imposes a number of issues related to the destination?s carrying capacity and business activities of the individual service providers in tourism. As one indicator of seasonal fluctuation of tourist demand, the Gini index is identified in order to establish monthly concentration of tourists. In this study, the Gini index was calculated for four spa tourism destinations in Serbia (Vrnjacka Banja, Sokobanja, Niska Banja, and Prolom Banja), in order to establish variability in the seasonality. The research took into consideration the period 2010-2019. Research results indicate that Niska Banja Spa has the lowest values of the Gini index, while Vrnjacka Banja Spa and Sokobanja Spa have the highest values, whereby no values are higher that .45 (mostly between .30 and .39). Given that the theoretically lowest value of the Gini index is 0 (smallest seasonal concentration) and the highest is 1 (biggest concentration), the selected spas still do not have particularly high degree of seasonal concentration of tourists. Possibilities for reduction of tourist demand seasonality are pointed out, given its impact on tourism planning and its economic effects.

RADON IN NIŠKA BANJA SPA WATERS

The most numerous investigations of radon concentration in waters in Serbia were conducted in Niška Banja spa. Niška Banja spa is considered an area with high natural radioactivity. The appearance of radon in water is due to the leaching of soil in which 226Ra nuclei decompose. The passage of groundwater through radium-rich rocks results in the collection of radium decay products, including radon 222Rn. This paper presents the results of several studies which measured radon concentrations in the waters of Niška Banja spa. There are three thermal springs in Niška Banja spa: „Glavno vrelo“, „Suva banja” and „Školska česma”. The radon concentration in the waters of Niška Banja spa was found to be generally about 0.4-570·103 Bq/m3. According to the available data in the literature, the highest measured radon concentration in the waters of Niška Banja spa is 1463.4·103 Bq/m3.

Clustering wellness tourists in spa environment

Spas meet the requirements of both medical and wellness tourists. The former are requiring treatments for specific medical reasons while the latter seek to preserve health. The differences between the two groups are therefore primarily one of the motives even while both may use a number of common resources. This study reports findings from a sample of 165 wellness tourists using the services at Vrnjacka Banja Spa, Serbia. Their motives are classified as ‘rejuvenation’, ‘socialization’, ‘hedonism’, ‘obsession with health and beauty’, ‘relaxation’ and ‘escape from routine’. The study also examines the role of socio-demographic variables as determinants of being a ‘wellness tourist’.

Hydrogeothermal characteristics of groundwater from Ribarska Banja spa, central Serbia

Ribarska Banja spa is one of the most popular balneotherapy and recreation centers in Serbia. It features several thermal groundwater sources whose temperatures range from 26 to 54?C. The mineral content of these waters is low and their composition is of the SO4-Na or HCO3-Na type. Thermal water exploration has been conducted in the general area for many years, to assess the hydrogeothermal potential in order to extract larger amounts of thermal water for multiple uses. The hydrogeothermal system of Ribarska Banja spa was defined based on a synthesis of the results of comprehensive structural geology, geophysical, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and geothermal research. The primary groundwater reservoir of the hydrogeothermal system is comprised of tectonic zones (systems of faults and fractures) within Cretaceous-Paleogene metamorphosed and non-metamorphosed rocks. The overlying hydrogeological and temperature barrier is made up of a series of low metamorphosed rocks (chlorite, chlorite-sericite schists, gabbros, etc.), highly metamorphosed rocks (gneisses) and Neogene clay and sand sediments. The system is recharged by infiltration of atmospheric precipitation and surface water at the highest elevations of Mt. Jastrebac. Investigations have also shown that the system?s heat source is younger granitoide intrusion spreading northwest of Ribarska Banja spa. Based on the quartz geothermometers, expected reservoir temperatures are in the range of 85-97?C that can be expected at a depth of 1.87 km. Total energy usage at Ribarska Banja spa is 31 TJ/y with thermal capacity of 1.65 MWt and utilization factor of 0.58. Geothermal gradient is 0,051?C/m, while heat flow density is 163.5 mW/m2.

Chemical composition of the thermomineral waters of Josanicka Banja spa as an origin indicator, balneological valorization and geothermal potential

The chemical composition of the groundwater is directly dependent on the geological structure, hydrogeological and hydrochemical characteristics and as such it represents an output result of all the factors and processes which take place in the environment within which they were formed. The chemical composition of thermomineral waters often represents a crucial factor in determining the origin, balneological valorization and geothermal potential of the resources. This work presents the analysis of origin, belneological valorization and geothermal potential of Josanicka Banja spa, on the basis of the results gained through making the analyisis of chemical contents of the thermomineral waters which occur in the area. The ratio of concentrations of specific chemical components in the thermomineral waters of Josanicka Banja has served as the basic tool for ascertaining the origin of these waters. On the basis of the analysis of the main anion-cation and gas compositions as well as the contents of specific micro-components, a balneological valorization of these resources has been carried out. Apart from that this work also presents the calculation of the expected temperatures in the primary geothermal reservoir, which was carried out on the basis of the results of chemical analysis of thermomineral waters that occur in the area. Geothermal potential of about 4 MWt and significant contents of balneologically active components of the chemical composition of these waters, open up a possibility for their multi-purpose use, which is also presented in the work.

Radon in thermal waters in south-east part of Serbia

There are several occurrences of thermal waters in the south-eastern part of Serbia, which are originating from igneous and metamorphic rocks. These waters are mainly used in balneology, but some of them are used for drinking purposes and in water supply to heat buildings, for greenhouses and to irrigate land. In this region, there is the well-known Niška banja spa, which has elevated levels of radon. Water samples were examined from other spas in the south-eastern part of Serbia in order to determine radon activity concentration. A detailed discussion of a possible correlation between determined radon activity concentration and the geology of this area is also given.

The activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 238U and 7Be in moss from spas in eastern Serbia in the period 2000-2012

In this work we present the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 238U and 7Be in mosses. One hundred and sixty-seven moss samples were collected between 2001 and 2012 from the territory of the Sokobanja, Banja Josanica and Gamzigradska Banja spas. They were classified into 23 species. The activity concentrations (Bq/kg) in moss from Sokobanja spa were: 40K 25-427; 226Ra 0.3-36; 232Th 1.0-37; 238U 0.4-28 and 7Be 29-210; from Banja Josanica spa they were: 40K 90-242; 226Ra 2.4-11.7; 232Th 2.0-12.7; 238U 1.6-11.3 and 7Be 142-212; Gamzigradska Banja spa: 40K 95-351; 226Ra 8.0-21; 232Th 5.1-19; 238U 6.7-18 and 7Be 20-144. The activity concentrations of dominant natural radionuclides (potassium, radium, thorium and uranium) in the moss samples were within the usual ranges for the territory of Serbia.

Synergy of hydromechanical and hydrochemical parameters in formation of solid deposits in geothermal and other waters

This paper deals with synchronised influences of hydromechanical and hidrochemical parameters on the formation of solid deposits in geothermal and other waters which compose complex heterogeneous and micro-heterogeneous system of liquid-solid. Constituents of these waters in ionic, colloidal and micro-heterogeneous suspended state of liquid-solid are responsible for the creation of the carbonates, sulphates and other solid matters. In these processes one cannot eliminate the influence of hydromechanical parameters with flow velocity and water flow criteria (laminar or turbulent flow) as vital factors. Experiments were conducted on the laboratory pilot installation with glass pipes diameter of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm respectively, and the flow was monitored by means of digital peristaltic pump with the flow rate of 2 ml/min to 5000 ml/min. The paper gives the results of the investigation of the impact of the linear flow velocity on the relative decrease of the initial water hardness in geothermal waters of Sijarinska Banja spa, Niska Banja spa and the estuary water of Medijana, Nis. From the obtained dependences, according to the linear regression model, for each diameter critical values for linear velocities as an important parameter for the understanding of the synergism of the hydromechanical and hydrochemical parameters were determined.

Origin of fluorine in mineral waters of Bujanovac valley (Serbia, Europe)

This paper deals with mineral and thermomineral water occurrences of the Bujanovac valley in south eastern part of Serbia related to granitoides of the Bujanovac massif along both the margin and the floor of the valley. In past decades (1966–2010) numerous hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and geophysical explorations were carried out. One of results of these explorations is the completion of test holes and exploratory—production wells. They provide groundwater for three water bottling factories: “Heba”, “Bivoda”, “Prohor” as well as the “Vrelo Bujanovac Banja Spa Centre” for rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention. All stated consumers use the same mineral water aquifer. The content of fluoride in the majority of examined mineral waters is higher than 4 mg/1, whereby they are singled out as typical fluoride waters. The content of calcium ions in them amounts 80 mg/1, and the values of the saturation index in relation to calcium fluoride (SI) range from 0.4 to 0.7 mg/1, which points to mineral waters saturated in relation to fluorite. However, in the study area, there are mineral water occurrences with the content of fluoride significantly lower than in the majority of analysed waters representing hydrochemical anomalies. These waters occur as hydrochemical anomalies in marl and sandstone wherein Secondary mineral water aquifers, originating from cracked granite of the Bujanovac massif, are formed. When mineral waters from granite (with the increased content of fluoride) reach these secondary aquifers, the content of fluoride ions lowers to about 1 mg/1, which is of great significance from the point of view of mineral water utilisation as table bottled water. In this paper, it is proved that, in addition to the presence of some minerals as basic fluorine bearers, the role of the lithological environment where the natural process of defluoridation occurs is significant, which is confirmed by the revitalization of the A-4 well. The paper deals with mineral water deposits of the Bujanovac valley, and the natural way of lowering of fluorine content in the given waters.

Thermomineral waters of inner Dinarides Karst

The Dinarides are the largest continuous karst region in Europe. With regard to a geotectonic view, they are divided into the Outer, Central and Inner Dinarides occupying the territories of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro. Numerous occurrences of thermomineral water have been recorded in the Inner Dinarides area. The majority of them are genetically related to carbonate sediments of Mesozoic age. This paper deals with occurrences of thermomineral waters of the Inner Dinarides karst, their quantitative and qualitative characteristics, basic genetic types, the age of karst thermomineral waters of the Inner Dinarides, the available quantities of hydrogeothermalmineral energy, balneological potential and the possibility of rational multi-purpose utilisation. Hydrochemical and isotope methods have been used for the analysis of basic genetic types and age of karst thermomineral waters, while a geothermometer method has been used for the calculation of primary temperatures in water-bearing horizons(geothermal reservoirs) themselves. The carried out research has pointed out that karst thermomineral waters formed in carbonate sediments of Mesozoic age are characterized by temperatures ranging from 15.5oC (Knežina Ilidža) to 75oC (Bogatic), being most frequently of a HCO3-Ca, Mg type with neutral to poor alkaline reaction and mineralization below 1 g/l. Karst thermomineral waters of the Inner Dinarides are most frequently related to geothermal systems formed in carbonate sediments covered by rocks of poor water permeability. In case of some thermomineral water occurrences, the mixing of the karst thermomineral waters with those formed in sedimentary basins occurs due to their hydraulic relation, thus it is not possible to determine only one geothermal system in which they are formed. The overall geothermal potential of the thermomineral waters of the Inner Dinarides karst is about 160 MW. In addition to the geothermal aspect, these waters have been widely utilised in balneology, wellness programmes, as well as for the needs of bottling. The level of research activity and with that the way of the utilisation of these waters are various. With regard to the number of occurrences known so far and their potential, it can be claimed with certainty, that the utilisation of thermomineral water occurring in the karst of the Inner Dinarides will increase significantly in future. An example of the multi-purpose utilisation of the Pribojska Banja Spa thermomineral waters illustrates a possible way of doing it.

Exposure to radon in the radon spa Niška Banja, Serbia

Abstract There is a well-known radon spa Niska Banja in south-east of Serbia. In Niska Banja spa there is a medical complex and radon is used for therapeutic purposes for many different diseases. This paper presents elevated radon levels in the Niska Banja spa. Indoor radon and radon in water activity concentration measurements in thermal pools and therapy rooms are presented. There are also results from gamma spectrometry measurements of soil, rock and therapy mud. A special attention is paid to the medical staff exposure to radon around thermal pools. The annual effective doses from radon for staff working around the thermal pools in Niska Banja spa are very high comparing to the maximum recommendation level. The maximal radon concentration of (22.90 ± 0.57) kBq m −3 was measured in the basement of the hotel-dispensary “Radon”. This hotel is settled on “bigar” rock – travertine, which has high content of 226 Ra.

The effects of colloidal SiO2 and inhibitor on the solid deposit formation in geothermal water of low hardness

Low solubility of SiO2 and its occurrence in geothermal waters in the form of ionic, colloidal and suspended state are the main cause of the solid deposit occurrence. Certain chemical types of silica, under the influence of Fe2+, Al3+, F?, OH- ions and other micro-constituents, and due to significantly decreased solubility of SiO2, stimulate nucleation, particle growth and solid deposit formation. The aim of this paper is to inhibit the process of nucleation and solid deposit formation by adding originally designed inhibitor in the form of an emulsion, when the total concentration of the present and added colloidal SiO2 is beyond the solubility limit (120 mg/dm3). By turbidimetric, SEM, EDS and XRD analysis, the processes of solid deposit formation were investigated in Vranjska Banja (Serbia) spa geothermal water source (water hardness of 4?dH), and theoretical and practical conclusions were made.

Effects of natural factors of Niska Banja spa on indexes of mobility of vertebral column in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondilitis (AS) is a disease from a group of seronegative spondyloarthropathies with the prevalence of 0.1% affecting mainly young males, which also gives sociomedical significance to the disease. Among all inflammatory arthropathies, AS is the most suitable for balneotherapy. Thermomineral water of the Niska Banja spa is homeothermic, oligomineral, alkaline, low radioactive radon water and also, in conjunction with mineral peloid, is considered to be optimal for this indication. Our aim was to investigate the effects of natural factors of the Niska Banja spa as a part of complex treatment on the indexes of mobility of the vertebral column in the patients with AS. The study enrolled 40 patients with the average age of 48.0 +/-14.82 years and the average duration of disease of 16.9 +/- 6.42 years. Patients were treated with hydro- and peloidotherapy during the average of 17.23 +/- 2.71 days. At the beginning and at the end of treatment, a number of indexes of spinal mobility were measured. The statistical significance of differences was calculated using the Student's t-test. All of the measured indexes were better after balneotherapy reaching statistically significant differences in regard to the wall-to-occiput distance (p < 0.05), the index of sagittal mobility of the cervical (p < 0.05) and lumbar (p < 0.005) spine. The application of natural factors of the Niska Banja spa during complex treatment of the patients with AS is accompanied with the objective increase of the spine mobility.

Demographic growth and development of spa places in Serbia

The paper deals with analysis of population growth and components of demographic growth in five most important spa settlements in Serbia: Vrnjacka banja, Niska banj, Banja Koviljaca. As indices of demographic development, we have analyzed: natural and mechanical movement of population, age and sex, activity and sex, households and apartments in spa places. The finding is that demographic development of spa places in Serbia has been politically influenced. Due to dismantling state territory of former Yugoslavia, the choice of domestic tourist destination for Serbian population became smaller. Because of that, spas became more important tourist destination which fostered demographic growth of those places. The data analysis demonstrated that during the last six decades, population in all spa places increased with higher insensitive compare with the rest of Serbia. This is the result of high inmigration, particularly in the last decade, when the share of this movement was over 90%. The pacing of population ageing in spa places, did not follow ageing of total population in Serbia. Average age in Serbia between 1961-2002. increased for 31.8%, while in spas population ageing was more intensify with 36.4% increase. The number of household showed constant increase from census to census, as well as in Serbia as in each of spa places with no exception. Average size of household in spas in 1948. was smaller than the average in Serbia for almost one member. By the year 2002. the average sizes of households in spas and in Serbia was almost equalized. Spa places suffered sortage of apartments in 1948. By the year 2002. the evidence showed considerable surplus which as the biggest in Vrnjacka Banja spa. The amount of surplus was 15%, which is higher than the average in Serbia. The purpose of this surplus is rent and accommodation of spa visitors. Overall results point out that despite of population decrease of Serbia, spa places enjoy more and more permanent residents. Among the reasons economic stability of spa places (in the areas of services and medical care) should be emphasized, which triggered inmigration increase, outmigration decrease, and slower rate of ageing (despite of small rate of natural increase).