Mineral Water Springs Research Articles

Geochemical-mineralogical characteristics of spring sediment of the iron-sulfate mineral water Ljepotica near Srebrenica, RS

The Srebrenica area in Eastern Bosnia (Republika Srpska) is characterized by numerous Pb-Zn sulfide ore bodies and several iron-sulfate mineral water springs. The spring Ljepotica appears in the central part of the area and has similar water composition and spring sediment "limonite" mass like nearby the famous medical iron-arsenic water spring Crni Guber. The sequential chemical analysis of iron and XRD-studies of the relative shortly aged spring sediment showed that it is composed by ferrihydrite, jarosite and some goethite. The ratio Fedit/Fetot of 0.76 indicates that jarosite appears as a main constituent, in contrast to the Crni Guber spring sediment in which occurs irregularly and in traces. Trace elements pattern is characterized by appearance of As, Pb, Sb, and Sr as the most abundant (>5000 and up to 1450, 780, and 210 ppm, respectively), small contents of Cr, Cu, Ti, V, and Zn (up to 60 ppm), and traces of Mn, Ni and Sc (below 10 ppm). Chemical analysis of the sediment indicates that jarosite is of the jarosite-hydronium jarosite type.

Stable isotope geochemistry of cold CO 2-bearing mineral spring waters, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia: sources of gas and water and links with waning volcanism

Mineral springs in the Victorian Central Highlands, Australia, have high CO 2 contents and naturally effervesce. δ 13C values of CO 2 gas and dissolved inorganic carbon are −10.6‰ to −7.0‰ and −5.9‰ to −0.1‰, respectively, with a net δ 13C of −8‰ to −3‰. The carbon in these waters was derived from a mantle source associated with local Pliocene to Recent basaltic Newer Volcanic Province rocks. Previously reported 3He/ 4He (1.2–3.1 relative to air) and high He/Ne ratios are also consistent with the presence of magmatic volatiles. Silica contents imply that the waters were never heated above 130 °C and that the system is not hydrothermal. The occurrence of carbonated mineral springs in a relatively small region of the Newer Volcanics Province where volcanic activity ceased several thousands of years ago may be due to the presence of late intrusions combined with deep circulation of water through deeply weathered and fractured Ordovician basement. A region of low seismic velocity under the Daylesford area potentially images those intrusions. Most spring waters have δ 18O and δ 2H values of −8‰ to −6‰ and −45‰ to −35‰, respectively, and lie to the left of the local and global meteoric water lines. The anomalously low δ 18O values results from CO 2 exsolution at low temperatures which strongly partitions 18O into the gas. The lack of waters lying to the right of the local meteoric water line also implies that water–rock interaction at elevated temperatures did not occur. The δ 2H values are lower than contemporary meteoric water, suggesting that the waters may have recharged under colder climate conditions several thousand years ago. The local Ordovician rocks are gold bearing. The present spring system is cold and would not efficiently transport Au. However, volcanic is waning and the spring systems at the time of volcanism may have been hotter and able to redistribute Au.

The Radamon radon detector and an example of application

The etched track type Radamon radon detector is presented. As an example of application representative indoor radon survey was performed in Gyergyóremete (Romania) to pilot a study that can be done in other places of the country. Gyergyóremete was selected, because it was built on volcanic rock, where a number of aligning mineral water springs indicates the existence of geological faulting, and therefore, it was suspected that the village could be on a radon prone area. Measurements were done in sleeping rooms at pillow level. Representativity of the sample was ensured by random pull of 120 houses from the stock (hypergeometric statistical model). From the results it can be stated that the percentages of houses expected to have annual average 222Rn activity concentration higher than 400 Bq m −3 is less than 1%.

Origin of deep saline groundwaters in the Vienne granitic rocks (France): constraints inferred from boron and strontium isotopes

AbstractAs part of a preliminary geological characterization programme to assess the feasibility of an underground laboratory in granitic rock, a series of 17 deep boreholes (maximum depth, 900 m) was drilled by ANDRA in the Vienne district, France. A salinity gradient was demonstrated in the granitic waters with concentrations varying from approximately 1 g L−1 at 150 m depth at the top of the basement (beneath the sedimentary cover) to 10 g L−1 in the deeper part (from 400 to 600 m depth). Sr and B isotope ratios were measured in order to better understand the origin of the salinity and to evaluate the degree of water–rock interaction in the system. The results obtained were compared to those of mineral spring waters emerging from the granitic basement in the Massif Central. Evidence in support of a significant marine contribution include: (i) the Cl–Br investigations agree with a marine origin for the saline groundwaters without evolution from seawater; (ii) the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the Vienne deep groundwaters (0.7078–0.7084) is in agreement with a palaeo‐seawater isotopic signature; (iii) measured δ11B values for the deepest brine samples are enriched in 11B (up to 36.1‰) relative to the granitic springs. The combined use of δ11B, Cl, B, Br, Sr contents and 87Sr/86Sr ratios makes it possible to define and quantify a mixing model between marine and crustal end‐members in order to explain the origin of the deep saline groundwaters in the Vienne granitic rocks.

The subcontinental mantle beneath southern New Zealand, characterised by helium isotopes in intraplate basalts and gas-rich springs

New helium isotope data measured in Cenozoic intraplate basalts and their mantle xenoliths are compared with present-day mantle helium emission on a regional scale from thermal and nonthermal gas discharges on the South Island of New Zealand and the offshore Chatham Islands. Cenozoic intraplate basaltic volcanism in southern New Zealand has ocean island basalt affinities but is restricted to continental areas and absent from adjacent Pacific oceanic crust. Its distribution is diffuse and widespread, it is of intermittent timing and characterised by low magma volumes. Most of the 3He/ 4He ratios measured in fluid inclusions in mantle xenocrysts and basalt phenocrysts such as olivine, garnet, and amphibole fall within the narrow range of 8.5 ± 1.5 Ra (Ra is the atmospheric 3He/ 4He ratio) with a maximum value of 11.5 Ra. This range is characteristic of the relatively homogeneous and degassed upper MORB-mantle helium reservoir. No helium isotope ratios typical of the lower less degassed mantle (>12 Ra), such as exemplified by the modern hot-spot region of Hawaii (with up to 32 Ra) were measured. Helium isotope ratios of less than 8 Ra are interpreted in terms of dilution of upper mantle helium with a radiogenic component, due to either age of crystallisation or small-scale mantle heterogeneities caused by mixing of crustal material into the upper mantle. The crude correlation between age of samples and helium isotopes with generally lower R/Ra values in mantle xenoliths compared with host rock phenocrysts and the in general depleted Nd and Sr isotope ratios and the light rare earth element enrichment of the basalts supports derivation of melts as small melt fractions from a depleted upper mantle, with posteruptive ingrowth of radiogenic helium as a function of lithospheric age. In comparison, the regional helium isotope survey of thermal and nonthermal gas discharges of the South Island of New Zealand shows that mantle 3He anomalies in general do not show an obvious relationship with either age or proximity to the Cenozoic intraplate volcanic centres or with major faults. In general, areas characterised by mantle 3He emission are interpreted to define those regions beneath which mantle melting and basalt magma addition to the crust are recent. The strongest mantle 3He anomaly (equivalent to >80% mantle helium component) is centred over southern Dunedin, measured in magmatic CO 2-rich mineral water springs issuing from crystalline basement rocks which outcrop at the southern extent of Miocene intraplate basaltic volcanism which ceased 9 Ma ago. This mantle helium anomaly overlaps with an area characterised by elevated surface high heat flow, compatible with a long-lived mantle melt/heat input into the crust. In comparison Banks Peninsula, another Miocene intraplate basaltic centre, is characterised by relatively low surface heat flow and a small mantle helium contribution measured in a nitrogen-rich spring. Here the thermal transient induced by the magmatic event has either dissipated or has not reached the surface. In the former case one might be dealing with storage and mixing of magmatic and crustal gases at shallow crustal levels and in the latter with active to recent mantle-melt degassing at depth. Along the most actively deforming part of the plate boundary zone, the transpressional Alpine Fault and Marlborough fault systems, mantle helium is present in gas-rich springs in all those areas underlain by actively subducting oceanic crust (the Australian plate in the south and Pacific plate in the north), whereas the central part of the Alpine transpressional fault is characterised by pure crustal radiogenic helium. Areas where the mantle helium component is negligible are restricted to the centre part of the South Island, extending along its length from Southland to northern Canterbury and Murchison. These areas are interpreted to delineate the extent of thicker and colder lithosphere compared to all other areas where mantle helium release from partial mantle melts at depth is recent to active being added to the lower lithosphere and/or lower crust. Areas characterised by mantle helium anomalies are equated with areas of thermal mantle anomalies, i.e., localised mantle heterogeneities such as upwelling less dense silicate melts in the upper asthenospheric mantle.

Evaluation of 210Po and 210Pb in some mineral spring waters in Brazil

Aalysis of most natural waters shows that 210Po, the last radioactive member of the uranium natural decay-series, is present at very low activities, usually lower than its insoluble precursor, 210Pb. Recent papers, however, show that 210Po can exist at very high concentrations in groundwaters of some shallow aquifers. Concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb have been analyzed in the mineral spring waters of a high background region of Brazil: Águas da Prata. The water samples were collected over a period of one year in springs used by the local population and tourists to the region. Concentrations ranging from <3·5 mBq l -1 to 7·80×10 22 mBq l -1 and from 3·0 mBq l -11 to 3·98×10 2 mBq l -1 were observed for 210Pb and 210Po, respectively. Doses were estimated in order to evaluate the relative importance of the ingestion of such radionuclides. Based upon measured concentrations, effective doses up to 1·8×10 -1 mSv y -1 were observed for 210Pb and 210Po. Doses up to 5·9 mSv y -1 for the ingestion of 210Pb and up to 1·9 mSv y -1 for the ingestion of 210Po were obtained for the critical organs.

Evaluation of Dose due to Ingestion of Natural Radionuclides of the Uranium Series in Spring Waters

The concentrations of uranium isotopes and their decay products 226Ra, 222Rn, 210Pb and 210po have been analyzed in the mineral spring waters of a highly radioactive region of Brazil: Aguas da Prata. This region is located in the Poços de Caldas Plateau, one of the largest weathered alkaline intrusions in the world. Dose calculations were performed to evaluate the relative importance of these radionuclides in the exposure of the local population to radiation. Based upon concentrations measured in all the springs available, effective doses per year varying from 1.4 x 10(-4) mSv year(-1) for 238U to 5.1 x 10(-2) mSv year(-1) for 222Rn were observed. The doses from the ingestion of 222Rn, 210Po and 210Pb are of the same order of magnitude, and therefore these radionuclides are the most critical as far as the consumption of these waters is concerned.

Seasonal variations of 226Ra and 222Rn in mineral spring waters of Aguas da Prata, Brazil

In this paper the activity concentrations of 226Ra and 222Rn were assayed in the mineral spring waters of Aguas da Prata in order to evaluate the seasonal variations of such radionuclides. The results obtained were related to the chemical composition of the water as well as to the lithology of the aquifer and temperature. Higher activity concentrations up to 1.8 × 10 3 mBq L −1 for 226Ra and 1.2 × 10 2 Bq L −1 for 222Rn have been observed in waters with low levels of soluble salts. Waters which present high levels of carbonate and sulphate salts showed maximum values of 2.5 × 10 2 mBq L −1 for 226Ra and 2.7 × 10 1 Bq L −1 for 222Rn. This behaviour is mainly due to the physico-chemical properties of these radionuclides in water as well as to the lithologic structure of the aquifers.

Occurrence of mineral water springs in the stream channel of the Allier River (Massif Central, France): chemical and Sr isotope constraints

The French Massif Central has long been recognized as an area with numerous mineral water springs. It is often very difficult to measure the flow rate of mineral springs since they are spread out over extentive areas. Water from the Allier River has been sampled monthly over a 13-month period and a spatial cross-section survey carried out at base flow conditions in order to estimate the discharge of mineral water in the Allier River streambed. For the monthly survey, the 87Sr 86Sr ratios vary between 0.709511 and 0.712656. A good correlation exists between 87Sr 86Sr and 1 Sr ratios and defines binary mixing between mineral waters and the Allier River sensu-stricto. The mixing processes have been studied using the Sr isotopic systematic and a conservative species (chloride). Except for one sample, the mineral water input never exceeds 2%. However, the mineral water discharge into the Allier streambed could not be precisely estimated because effluent seepage of mineral water may occur in a part of the channel representing only a small volume of the cross-sections. Variations in the solute concentrations across the river channel were measured at 14 sites chosen as being representative of areas where: (a) mineral water emerges, (b) no mineral water emerges, and (c) mixing is complete. A model developed for the monthly study using Cl as a reference was used in the spatial survey. The input of mineral water in the Allier streambed ranges from 0.1–0.15% in most of the samples and is greater than 2% at two points. The general mass balance of the proportions of mineral water and Allier River water ( sensu-stricto) using the sum of cations and anions was calculated and the input of mineral water into the Allier streambed was determined at the cross-section nearest the Allier gauging station (0.134%). The discharge of the Allier River at the gauging station was about 17.7 m 3/s during the sampling period, which gives a discharge of mineral water of about 0.02 m 3/s into the Allier channel.

Occupational asthma caused by hypersensitivity to ground bugs

J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;99:267-8.

226Ra in tap and mineral water and related health risk in the republic of Croatia.

The presence of 226Ra in drinking water may sometimes make important contribution to natural background radiation exposures. The paper describes the study of 226Ra content in drinking water of Croatia: tap water from the public supply system of several major towns and bottled mineral water from two selected mineral water springs. 226Ra was determined by alpha-spectrometric measurement after radiochemical separation. The radiation doses originating from drinking tap water and bottled mineral water were estimated. The annual dose from consumption of bottled mineral water was compared to that received from ingestion of public system tap water. The study showed that 226Ra content for investigated categories of waters is below the levels at which any unacceptable dose due to ingestion would arise.

97/00627 Estimates of cancer mortality due to the ingestion of mineral spring waters from a highly natural radioactive region of Brazil

97/00627 Estimates of cancer mortality due to the ingestion of mineral spring waters from a highly natural radioactive region of Brazil

Researchers study conductivity of crystalline rock in proposed radioactive waste site

The crystalline basement of the Black Forest is under consideration as a possible repository for radioactive waste. Crystalline rock has traditionally been considered impermeable, even though very deep wells such as the Kola well in the former Soviet Union have been found to contain open, water‐filled fissures at more than 12,000 m depth. In 1995, researchers investigated the conductivity of the Black Forest crystalline rock and the chemical properties of the water within [Stober, 1995] and found that the crystalline basement is more permeable than once thought. Hydrogeologic evidence revealed the presence of several thermal and mineral water springs in the crystalline rocks, suggesting that the region may be especially poorly suited for the radioactive waste repository.

Determination of uranium and thorium isotopes in mineral spring waters

Concentrations levels of uranium and thorium isotopes have been analyzed in the m mineral spring waters of a high background region of Brazil: Pocos de Caldas and Aguas da Prata. The procedure was based on the determination of238U,234U,232Th,230Th and228Th by α-spectrometry after separation and purification of the isotopes of interest by using anion-exchange chromatography and preparation of the samples for α-measurements by electrodeposition. The concentration varied from <1.1 to 28.4 mBq.l−1 and from <1.6 to 141 mBq.l−1 for238U and234U, respectively. Thorium isotope measurements varied from <0.2 to 1.8 mBq.l−1 from <0.3 to 4.9 mBq.l−1 and from <0.8 to 19.9 mBq.l−1 for232Th,230Th and228Th, respectively. Calculations of thorium and uranium isotopic activity ratios were carried out giving values ranging from 1.9 to 7.2, from 1.2 to 3.0 and from 7.7 to 15.3 for234U/238U,230Th/232Th and228Th/232Th, respectively. The effective doses due to the intake of238U and234U present in these waters are expected to reach values up to 1.4×10−3 mSv y−1 and 8.0×10−3 mSv y−1, respectively.

Radium-226 in thermal and mineral springs of Croatia and associated health risks

Results of 226Ra determination in thermal and mineral water springs, mostly spas and health resorts, in the Republic of Croatia are presented. These waters have been used on a large scale for medical and bathing purposes; for therapy, rehabilitation and recreation, while mineral waters from several locations are also used for drinking. The 226Ra content of thermal and mineral waters ranged from 0.07 to 4.40 Bq l −1. In the spas in which waters were used both for bathing and drinking purposes, 226Ra activities in some springs were found to exceed the maximal permissible level of 1 Bq l −1 for drinking water. On the assumption that a drinking cure contains 1 litre of mineral water daily for 1 week, the radium body burden originating from drinking this water would be on average 2.1 times higher than that originated from the consumption of 1 litre per day of tap water over 1 year.

Estimates of cancer mortality due to the ingestion of mineral spring waters from a highly natural radioactive region of Brazil

This study was performed in order to evaluate the lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer due to the ingestion of 226Ra, 228Ra and 222Rn in mineral spring waters from a highly natural radioactive region of Brazil. Water samples were randomly collected at 10 spring sites located in the Águas da Prata region. Concentrations ranging from < 2.2 to 1.80 × 10 3 mBq l −1 for 226Ra, < 3.7 to 2.3 × 10 1 mBq l −1 for 228Ra and 8 × 10 −1 to 2.16 × 10 2 Bq l −1 for 222Rn were observed. A total of eight radium-induced cancers (four head carcinomas plus four bone sarcomas) per 10 6 exposed persons were predicted. For radon, a total of 23 cases of fatal stomach cancers per 10 6 exposed persons were estimated. These predictions suggest that chronic ingestion of radium and radon at the levels observed at these springs will result in incremental increases of fatal cancers of 2 and 0.5%, respectively, above the background incidence rate. The uncertainties in evaluating the carcinogenic effects due to radium and radon ingestion were analyzed. These investigations suggest that the true risk due to radium ingestion is likely to be within an order of magnitude in either direction of the risk estimated in the present paper.

生物が関与して生成した鉄鉱石:群馬鉄山産鉄鉱石(goethite)のTEM観察

Iron ores and mineral spring water from Gumma Iron Mine were examined mainly by TEM. Biomineralization was found on diatom and bacteria in the spring water, and also on living moss. Aggregates of cyanobacteria-like fossils were found in some iron ore which is composed of goethite and jarosite. They were examined by EPMA and TEM (lattice imaging). The formation mechanism of iron ore was discussed and biogenic contribution to the ore formation was suggested.

Radon behaviour in mineral spring water of Bad Brambach (Vogtland, Germany) in the temporal vicinity of the 1992 Roermond earthquake, the Netherlands : U. Koch & J. Heinicke, Geologie en Mijnbouw, 73(2–4), 1994–1995, pp 399–406

Radon behaviour in mineral spring water of Bad Brambach (Vogtland, Germany) in the temporal vicinity of the 1992 Roermond earthquake, the Netherlands : U. Koch & J. Heinicke, Geologie en Mijnbouw, 73(2–4), 1994–1995, pp 399–406

Heterotrophic bacterial populations in the mineral waters of thermal springs in Spain.

The microbiological quality and heterotrophic bacterial populations of 26 thermal mineral water springs in Spain were studied. In most of the springs the number of viable aerobes was less than 10(3) cfu ml-1 and the number of sporulated bacteria less than 10(2) cfu ml-1. No significant differences were found in the counts obtained with Plate Count Agar (PCA) and PCA diluted 1:10 and incubated at 22 degrees, 37 degrees and 45 degrees C. Total coliforms were found in 14 springs, faecal streptococci in three, spores of sulphite-reducing Clostridium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in seven. Neither Escherichia coli nor Staphylococcus aureus were found. A total of 665 strains were isolated and 85.4% of these identified; 329 were Gram-positive and 239 were Gram-negative. The genera most prevalent present in the springs were Pseudomonas (in 92.3%), Bacillus (65.4%), Enterobacter, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus (50%), Acinetobacter (42.3%), Arthrobacter (38.4%), Clostridium (27%) and Xanthomonas (23%). Gram-negative bacteria predominated in the mesothermal springs and Gram-positive bacteria in the hyper- and hypothermal springs. The most common Gram-negative rod species isolated were Ps. fluorescens, Ps. aeruginosa, Ps. putida, Ent. agglomerans, Ent. sakazakii, Ac. calcoaceticus and Ent. amnigenus.

Natural Radioactivity in Mineral Spring Waters of a Highly Radioactive Region of Brazil and Consequent Population Doses

Concentration levels of 226 Ra, 228 Ra and 210 Pb have been analysed in most of the mineral spring waters available in the Aguas da Prata region. Concentrations ranging from < 2.2 TO 2106 MBQ.L −1 and from < 3.7 TO 23.1 MBQ.L −1 were observed for 226 Ra and 228 Ra, respectively. For 210 Pb the geometric mean varied from 8.4 to 1040 mBq.l −1 . Dose calculations were performed in order to evaluate the relative importance of such radionuclides to the radiation exposure due to the ingestion of these waters. Based upon measured concentrations, committed effective doses up to 1.1 mSv.y −1 , 0.55 mSv.y −1 and 10 −2 mSv.y −1 were observed for 210 Pb, 226 Ra and 228 Ra, respectively. These results show that 210 Pb and 226 Ra are the main contributors to radiation exposure