Mineral Water Springs Research Articles

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in Environmental Samples after Solid Phase Extraction on Amberlite XAD–2000

AbstractA method for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in real samples has been developed. Cr(VI) has been separated from Cr(III) and preconcentrated as its pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) complex by using a column containing Amberlite XAD–2000 resin and determined by FAAS. Total chromium has also been determined by FAAS after conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by oxidation with KMnO4. Cr(III) has been calculated by subtracting Cr(VI) from the total. The effect of pH, flow‐rate, adsorption and batch capacity and effect of various metal cations and salt anions on the sorption onto the resin were investigated. The adsorption is quantitative in the pH range of 1.5–2.5, and Cr(VI) ion was desorbed by using H2SO4 in acetone. The recovery of Cr(VI) was 97 ± 4 at a 95% confidence level. The highest preconcentration factor was 80 for a 200 mL sample volume. The adsorption and batch capacity of sorbent were 7.4 and 8.0 mg g−1 Cr(VI), respectively, and loading half time was 5.0 min. The detection limit of Cr(VI) is 0.6 μg/L. The procedure has been applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in stream water, tap water, mineral spring water and spring water. Also, the proposed method was applied to total chromium preconcentration in microwave digested moss and rock samples with satisfactory results. The developed method was validated with CRM‐TMDW‐500 (Certified Reference Material Trace Metals in Drinking Water) and BCR‐CRM 144R s (Certified Reference Material Sewage Sludge, Domestic Origin) and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values. The relative standard deviations were below 6%.

Sinkholes in Italy: first results on the inventory and analysis

Abstract The Italian Geological Survey (APAT) carried out field surveys and analysis of collapse phenomena (sinkholes) in Italy. The main goal of the project is to collect geological, geomorphological, geochemical and hydrogeological data about the sinkhole-prone areas in Italy in order to develop a spatial database of the characteristics of each phenomenon. The preliminary results of this study provide information on the distribution, geological setting, and monitoring and remediation actions associated with these natural collapses in Italy. Many Italian regions are affected by these natural disasters. Some of them are caused by karst collapses or anthropic activity. However, some occur in areas characterized by buried carbonate bedrock (up to 190 m), as well as by peculiar geological–structural and geochemical scenarios. In these areas it is not reasonable to ascribe the formation mechanism to karst activity. Instead, these types of cavities quickly develop in terrains with a variable granulometry, often in connection with upwelling fluids. In this work some natural specific cases have been studied in order to define the relationships between the geology (regional tectonic elements, mineral spring waters and strong gas vents) and the genesis of the sinkholes. A first attempt of sinkhole classification is also presented.

Drinking mineral waters: biochemical effects and health implications the state-of-the-art

Spring mineral water might have the properties favourable to health, which should be assessed by clinical and pharmacological analyses. Efforts have recently been made to approach the study of the validity of spring mineral water curative therapies by advanced biochemical research on both animal models and humans. Owing to the paramount interest and the growing recent use of drinking mineral waters, a need for a rigorous scientific approach arises. The therapeutic action of drinking mineral waters has been demonstrated to have important biochemical implications. However, some adverse events during health resorts cure must be considered and investigated. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art on the biochemical studies related to the effects of drinking mineral water. In the light of the review of the literature on the matter, we conclude that further studies are necessary to avoid any possible implication for public health connected with mineral water misuse.

Origin of the Great Nemunas Loops, South Lithuania

The Nemunas River, one of the largest rivers of the Baltic region, is characterised by a generally straight valley. In the middle part of its course the Great Nemunas Loops are distinct features that occupy an area of 320 km2 near the Birštonas Resort. The Nemunas valley here is 1.5‑5 km wide and 45‑80 m deep. The loops are cut into a glaciolacustrine plain confined between glacial and deltaic relief complexes and formed during the two last phases of glaciation. The origin of the entrenched loops, as large as 6‑10 km, can not be explained in conventional terms of river meandering. The activity of underlying tectonic structures is the major factor, the Great Nemunas Loops being confined to the Birštonas tectonic depression. Despite their small magnitudes the neotectonic structures within the depression significantly influenced the glacial and meltwater sedimentation (hence, the topography) that controlled the geometry of the Nemunas valley. The initial sinuosity of the valley was only a little enhanced by later lateral erosion. Fault activity is indicated by numerous mineral water springs and straight channel segments. Only a few sites of similar mineral water discharge are documented in Lithuania, suggesting the specific structural setting of the Great Nemunas Loops. Inspection of drill cores revealed the inheritance of the Nemunas valley from underlying paleovalleys of Eemian and Holsteinian Interglacials, implying persistence of the controlling factors.

Petrological and seismic studies of the lithosphere in the earthquake swarm region Vogtland/NW Bohemia, central Europe

New petrological and geochemical data of upper mantle and lower crustal xenoliths from a Quaternary tephra deposit in Mýtina, Czech Republic, are discussed in the frame of previous geophysical results (receiver functions, reflection seismology) of the western Eger/Ohře Rift area. The Vogtland/NW Bohemia region is well known for intraplate earthquake swarms, which are usually associated with volcanic activity. As previously reported, 3He/ 4He data of CO 2 emissions in mofettes and mineral-water springs point at ongoing magmatic processes in this area. Using teleseismic P receiver functions, an approximately 40-km-wide Moho updoming (from 31 to 27 km) and indications for a seismic discontinuity at 50 to 60 km depth were observed beneath the active CO 2-degassing field. The studied xenolith suite probes a lithospheric profile within the structural and gas geochemical anomaly field of the western Eger Rift. With regard to texture, composition, p– T estimates and origin, five xenolith groups can be discriminated. Upper crustal xenoliths (quartzites, phyllites, mica schists) resemble crystalline country rocks at surface. One noritic xenolith (6 kbar, 800 °C) could represent a sample of the lower crust. Clinopyroxenites and hornblendites probably represent cumulates of the nephelinitic magma or fragments of magmatic veins. Porous wehrlites and one hornblende peridotite xenolith reflect a metasomatied upper mantle. Megacrysts of Ti-rich amphibole, olivine, clinopyroxene, and phlogopite could be fragments of pegmatitic veins or high-pressure phenocrysts. Most of the ultramafic nodules (xenoliths and megacrysts) formed at pressures between 6 and 11 kbar (22 to 38 km depth), at temperatures well above regional geotherms of the Bohemian Massif calculated from surface heat flow studies. Orthopyroxene-bearing spinel-lherzolite xenoliths were not observed. Our petrographical, geochemical, and thermobarometric results indicate a lithospheric mantle strongly altered by magmatic processes. This metasomatism can cause slower than typical uppermost-mantle seismic velocities in a greater area and might help to explain observed seismic anomalies.

Water–granite interaction: Clues from strontium, neodymium and rare earth elements in soil and waters

Strontium-, Nd-, and rare-earth-element-isotope data are presented from rock, weathered rock (arene) and saprolite, sediment and soil, shallow and deep groundwater (e.g. mineral-water springs), and surface waters in the Margeride massif, located in the French Massif Central. Granitoid rock and gneiss are the main lithologies encountered in the Margeride, which corresponds to a large and 5-km-deep laccolith. Compared to bedrock, the Sr isotopes in arene, regolith, sediment and soil strongly diverge with a linear increase in the 87Sr/ 86Sr and Rb/Sr ratios. Neodymium isotopes fluctuate least between bedrock and the weathering products. In order to characterise the theoretical Sr isotopic signature IRf(Sr) of water interacting with granite, a dissolution model was applied, based on the hypothesis that most of the Sr comes from the dissolution of plagioclase, K-feldspar and biotite. Similar to the Sr model, an approach was developed for modelling the theoretical Nd isotopic signature IRf(Nd) of water interacting with a granite, assuming that most Nd originates from dissolution of the same minerals as those that yield Sr, plus apatite. The IRf(Sr) ratio of water after equilibration with the Sr derived from minerals was calculated for the Margeride granite and compared to values measured in surface- and groundwaters. Comparison of the results shows agreement between the calculated IRf(Sr) and the observed 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios. When calculating the IRf(Nd) ratio of water after equilibration with the Nd derived from minerals of the Margeride granite, the results indicated good agreement with surface-water values, whereas mineralised waters analysed within the Margeride hydrosystem could not be directly linked to weathering of the granite alone. Because the recharge area of deep groundwater is located on the Margeride massif, very deep circulation involving interaction with other rocks (e.g. shales) at depths of >5 km must be considered.

Stable Isotope and Chloride, Boron Study for Tracing Sources of Boron Contamination in Groundwater: Boron Contents in Fresh and Thermal Water in Different Areas in Greece

Boron is biologically an essential element but is toxic at high concentrations to plants (above approximately 1 mg/L in irrigation water) and probably to humans: The EU Drinking Water Directive fixes a threshold of 1 mg/L and the World Health Organisation (WHO) set a recommended limit at 0.3 mg/L now increased to 0.5 mg/L. Because of this potential toxicity and the need of implementation of EU regulation on national level, the study of the boron levels in both ground- and surface water is of great significance for water management. In Greece, a significant number of thermal, mineral and superficial water springs are found especially in Northern Greece, that present high boron values rendering such water unacceptable according to the European standards. Nevertheless, such ground waters or borehole water with high temperature and high boron content are used for irrigation and drinking purposes, and could therefore have an antagonistic effect on crop yield and health. In order to study the boron contamination and to elucidate the origin of B, we collected a number of hot and fresh water all over Greece. In all the water sampled, the boron concentration exceeds the limit of 0.3 mg/L, which is the former recommended WHO limit. Moreover, in the irrigation water examined, the boron concentration exceeds the value of 0.75 mg/L, which is the limit for sensitive plants (for plants of moderate and plants of high tolerance, these values vary between 0.75–3 and > 3 mg/L respectively). In all cases, elevated boron could be attributed to natural sources, geothermal activity and/or seawater intrusion into the aquifers. This finding has important implications for water management: In a setting of high natural geochemical background values, source control of the pollution is not possible and water managers have to cope with a local to regional geochemical anomaly that implies boron specific water treatment or mixing with unpolluted resources to bring concentrations down.

Geographical Distribution of 3He/4He Ratios in the Chugoku District, Southwestern Japan

We have collected 34 hot spring and mineral spring gases and waters in the Chugoku and Kansai districts, Southwestern Japan and measured the 3He/4He and 4He/20Ne ratios by using a noble gas mass spectrometer. Observed 3He/4He and 4He/20Ne ratios range from 0.054 Ratm to 5.04 Ratm (where Ratm is the atmospheric 3He/4He ratio of 1.39 × 10−6) and from 0.25 to 36.8, respectively. They are well explained by a mixing of three components, mantle-derived, radiogenic, and atmospheric helium dissolved in water. The 3He/4He ratios corrected for air contamination are low in the frontal arc and high in the volcanic arc regions, which are consistent with data of subduction zones in the literature. The geographical contrast may provide a constraint on the position of the volcanic front in the Chugoku district where it was not well defined by previous works. Taking into account the magma aging effect, we cannot explain the high 3He/4He ratios of the volcanic arc region by the slab melting of the subducting Philippine Sea plate. The other source with pristine mantle material may be required. More precisely, the highest and average 3He/4He ratios of 5.88 Ratm and 3.8±1.6 Ratm, respectively, in the narrow regions near the volcanic front of the Chugoku district are lower than those in Kyushu and Kinki Spot in Southwestern Japan, but close to those in NE Japan. This suggests that the magma source of the former may be related to the subduction of the Pacific plate, in addition to a slight component of melting of the Philippine Sea slab.

Erythrocyte Plasma Membrane Perturbations in Rats Fed a Cholesterol-Rich Diet: Effect of Drinking Sulphurous Mineral Water

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability of calcic and magnesic-sulphate-sulphurous spring mineral water (SMW) to reduce total and erythrocyte plasma membrane cholesterol in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Methods: By using different fluorescent probes, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (TMA-DPH) and Laurdan, a possible correlation was evaluated between cholesterol content changes of the membranes and membrane fluidity. Results: The results clearly show that hydropinic treatment reduced cholesterol level. No significant change was observed in DPH and TMA-DPH anisotropy values. By using Laurdan, an increase was observed in generalized polarization (GP₃₄₀) in both groups of rats (the one that drank tap water and the one that drank SMW) compared with the controls. The rate of haemolysis was reduced in those erythrocyte suspensions in which cholesterol was increased, even if the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase and catalase decreased. Conclusion: Hydropinic treatment with SMW is of interest from the biomedical point of view, because it could represent an alternative approach in interventions aimed at ameliorating biological injury deriving from hypercholesterolaemia.

Les eaux minérales naturelles et les eaux de source : cadre réglementaire et technique

Resume Issues d'une grande tradition de thermalisme, l'eau minerale naturelle et l'eau de source sont sujettes a une reglementation europeenne stricte, definissant leur classification, leur qualite physicochimique et microbiologique. Le respect de normes internationales impose l'elimination de composes naturellement presents, tout en conservant a l'eau sa flore et ses caracteristiques essentielles chimiques naturelles. Certains gisements hydromineraux beneficient d'une politique de protection dynamique, integree, mise en œuvre par l'exploitant, et permettant de defendre une notion fondamentale, « la purete de l'eau », pour laquelle l'ensemble des acteurs du domaine de l'eau doivent œuvrer pour en assurer la perennite. Pour citer cet article : J.-C. Bligny, P. Hartemann, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

Conditions of formation mineral waters in Sarissky Stiavnik and Radoma

Mineral waters in Sarissky Stiavnik and Radoma are formed on the tectonic fault zones of the Zlin formation and Makovica sandstones. Precipitation waters flow downwards thus becoming enriched in TDS content. The process is enhanced by inflow of CO2 rich mineral waters of the Obidowa-Slopnice-Zboj unit, pushed by carbon dioxide and methane. Mineral waters in Sarissky Stiavnik and Radoma are of the Na-HCO3 chemical type, typical for the mineral water springs of the Magura unit in this part of the flysch belt. The origin of chloride component in the TDS content can be found in the waters with thalasogenic mineralization beneath the Magura unit, where the Obidowa-Slopnice-Zboj unit is to be found. Hydrogeological structures in Sarissky Stiavnik and Radoma can be classified as combined hydrogeological structures, where the upper partial hydrogeological structure is opened (Magura unit) and the lower structure is semi-closed (unit Obidowa-Slopnice-Zboj).

Turkey's Natural Gas, Hydropower, and Geothermal Energy Policies

This article deals with Turkey's natural gas, hydropower, andgeothermal energy policies. Turkey has made repeated efforts to increase foreign investment in its power industry. Turkey's energy demand is growing at 8% a year, one of the highest rates in the world. But investment has lagged far behind what is required to ensure reliable supply. Turkey's energy use causes serious air pollution problems. Furthermore, the government forecasts strong growth in fossil fuel use, including a four-fold increase in coal use by 2020 that would cause large greenhouse-gas emissions. While the forecasts may overestimate fossil fuel demand growth, the government must address the environmental issues rapidly. Specifically, Turkey needs a strategy that allows it to assume a concrete greenhouse gas emissions target no later than the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. Natural gas consumption is the fastest growing primary energy source in Turkey. Turkey has supplied main natural gas needs from Russia; however Turkmen and Iranian gas represent economically sound alternatives. Hydroelectricity accounts for 45% of Turkey's total installed. Turkey continued, despite strong international criticism, to pursue its plans to construct the 1,200-megawatt Ilısu hydroelectric project. Ilısu is part of the Southeastern Anatolian Water Project, known as GAP. When completed, GAP will consist of 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric plants on the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Turkey has a total gross hydropower potential of 433 GW, but only 125 GW of the total hydroelectric potential of Turkey can be economically used. Turkey plans to increase hydropower production in the near future by especially using her small and micro hydroelectric plants (SHEPs and MHPs, respectively). Turkey is one of the geothermally potential rich 7 countries in the world. More than 1,000 hot and mineral water springs up to 373 K and 413 K geothermal fields with a temperature range of 313 to 505 K have been discovered in Turkey. Turkey has shot up the list of top direct use geothermal countries in recent years.

Hypocholesterolemic activity of calcic and magnesic-sulphate-sulphurous spring mineral water in the rat

We have studied the influence of hydropinic treatment with calcic and magnesic-sulphate-sulphurous spring mineral water (IDCS water) on plasma cholesterol (T-Ch), low density lipoprotein (LDL-Ch) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-Ch) levels, in experimental animals made hypercholesterolemic with a high cholesterol diet, and investigated possible mechanisms involved in lipoprotein metabolism. Ad libitum intake of IDCS water, during the 120 days of a hypercholesterolemic diet, produced an increase in the T-Ch/LDL-Ch ratio, compared to that of hypercholesterolemic animals treated with tap water. This datum indicates that after treatment with spring mineral water the LDL-Ch plasma concentration increases less than that of T-Ch. Vice versa, the T-Ch/HDL-Ch ratio was lower. Considering that the HDL-Ch levels in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with IDCS water were not significantly different than those of control animals, the very low T-Ch/HDL-Ch ratio recorded indicates that IDCS water intake during a hypercholesterolemic diet induces a lower increase of the T-Ch and LDL-Ch levels by increasing lipoprotein metabolism, which leads to reduced bile acid absorption both through precipitation in the intestinal lumen and increased excretion via the feces.

A note on the geochemical aspects of the Harrogate mineral waters

Three new water supply boreholes have been drilled in Harrogate and extend the available information on the hydrogeology of the mineral water springs. The water chemistry, combined with the geological evidence, shows that they tap waterat the opposite ends of the mineralized groundwater evolution system. Groundwater chemistry in the recharge area is available for the first time and there is new evidence that the deep migration of mineralized waters extends further than has been found hitherto. A conceptual model for the groundwater circulation system has been developed and a possible source of the high sodium chloride content is postulated.

Separation/Preconcentration of Copper, Lead, and Iron in Natural Water Samples on Chromosorb-105 Resin Prior to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determinations

A sensitive and simple method for the separation/preconcentration of some trace metal ions as O-O-diethylphosphorodithioic acid ammonium salt (A-DDPT) complexes on a mini chromatographic column filled with chromosorb-105 resin has been established. The influences of the various analytical parameters including pH of the aqueous solution, type of buffer solution, reagent amounts, sample volume, flow rates of sample and eluent solutions on the recovery of analyte ions were investigated. No influences were observed from the major ions of the natural water samples. The method presented was applied for the determination of traces of copper, lead and iron ions in the natural water samples including tap, stream and mineral spring waters with satisfactory results (recoveries >95%, relative standard deviations <8%).

SILVER SPRING MINERAL WATER CO LTD'S TRADE MARK APPLICATION

SILVER SPRING MINERAL WATER CO LTD'S TRADE MARK APPLICATION Reports of Patent, Design and Trade Mark Cases, Volume 120, Issue 12, 2003, Pages 405–410, https://doi.org/10.1093/rpc/2003rpc21 Published: 01 June 2003

Turkey's Geothermal Energy Potential

Turkey is one of the 7 geothermal-potential rich countries in the world. More than 1,000 hot and mineral water springs (up to 373 and 413 K) in geothermal fields with a temperature range of 313 to 505 K have been discovered in Turkey. Geothermal energy is clean, inexpensive, renewable, and can be utilized in various forms, such as space heating and domestic hot water supply, CO 2 and dry-ice production processes, heat pumps, greenhouse heating, swimming and balneology (therapeutic baths), industrial processes, and electricity generation. Since 1990, space heating and greenhouse developments have exhibited significant progress. The overall geothermal potential of Turkey is about 38,000 MW.

Decoupled thermal and mantle helium anomalies: Implications for the transport regime in continental rift zones

In continental rift zones, thermal anomalies and enhanced occurrence of mantle‐derived fluids in groundwaters often coincide on a continental but rarely on the local scale. For areas of recent intraplate volcanism this suggests a time shift between the transport of mantle‐derived volatiles and heat to the Earth's surface. As a particularly illustrative example, we studied the central European Rhine graben, which is distinguished by extensional tectonics, high seismicity, young, Upper Tertiary volcanism, abundant mineral water springs, and a heat flow anomaly. A combination of thermal, helium isotope, and major element data of mineral waters with numerical simulations of flow and heat transport leads to a profound understanding of crustal‐scale transport processes and allows a clear distinction between diffusion and flow dominated regimes. The simulations show that for a crustal‐scale system the transition between these two regimes occurs within one decade of permeability (10−16–10−17 m2). Flow is likely to be strongly controlled by fault systems both in the lower and upper crust. While thermal anomalies highlight fluid circulation within the upper brittle crust, mantle‐derived volatiles provide information on transport phenomena from lower crustal sections. The thermal and hydro‐chemical anomalies in the Upper Rhine graben are directly related to mass flow rates. Therefore lack of thermal anomalies around the Kaiserstuhl volcano suggests that mass flow rates must be very small, while positive thermal anomalies in the central part of the graben can directly be related to advection of fluids into basin sediments and to redistribution of heat within these sediments.

DETERMINATION OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS IN MINERAL SPRING WATERS BY TOTAL REFLECTION X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY (TXRF)

ABSTRACT Trace metal concentrations of mineral spring waters in central Anatolia, Turkey were investigated by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). The concentrations of trace heavy-metal ions were quantitatively determined with an internal Ga standard. The element concentrations obtained by TXRF are comparable to results obtained by graphite furnace absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after separation-preconcentration on an Amberlite XAD-4 column and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

A hydrogeological investigation using EM34 and SP surveys

EM34 and SP surveys were used to delineate shallow structures associated with the mineral water springs in the Vilarelho da Raia area located NE Portugal. This spring is part of a set of CO2-rich mineral (hot and cold) waters connected to the main Hercynian NNE-SSW fault systems. The EM34 survey was interpreted using a quasi-three-dimensional inversion approach based on a smooth-regularisation algorithm. The model put into evidence the conductive overburden as well as the fractured granitic formation. A preliminary estimation of the aquifer porosity is made based on the EM34 model. The SP anomalies were interpreted considering as having their sources on the aquifer interfaces. The modelling of two SP profiles allow the characterisation of a fault connected to the spring.