Thermal Mineral Water Research Articles

Mineral waters and hydrogeothermal resources in Bulgaria

Thermal mineral waters and extractable geothermal energy are an important and still underestimated natural wealth of Bulgaria. Their diversity is due to the complex geological structure, intense neotectonic activity, and the resulting complex character of meteoric water circulation. Reproductive hydrogeothermal systems with low-mineralized thermal waters of meteoric origin and resrvoir temperatures ranging between 30 and 100 (maximum 120) °C occur in the southern and north-eastern part of the country. Their total reproductive potential is estimated at 14–15 m3s−1. In the northern part (Moesian platform), regional hydrogeothermal reservoir with connate (marine) and mixed (marine and meteoric) mineral waters and brines are identified, the temperatures varying from 40 to 140 (maximum 150) °C. Huge resources of geothermal energy with commercial importance are accumulated in them. The hydrogeothermal wealth of Bulgaria provides as important basis for the development of balneological and multi-seasonal tourism, bottling industries, geothermal heating of buildings and greenhouses, aquaculture and other related activities.

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.

Purifying organic contaminated mineral water with stripping and expansion flotation on model laboratory equipment

The construction and operation of a model laboratory equipment for stripping and expansion flotation which is needed for water treatment studies is described. The results of stripping and expansion flotation of thermal mineral water from wellboring PT-20 in Petišovci are presented. We can see, that only the pH walue has increased, which is due to the removal of CO 2, whereas the amount of organic substances remained practically unchanged. Flotation yielded some results: about 20 % of potentionaly toxic organic substances were removed, this is still not enough to justify the use of two mentioned procedures in everyday practice.

Contribution to the origin of thermal-mineral spring waters on the islands of Milos and Kythnos (Aegean Sea, Greece)

Contribution to the origin of thermal-mineral spring waters on the islands of Milos and Kythnos (Aegean Sea, Greece)

Utilization of thermal waters from oil deposits of the caucasus

During the exploitation of many gas-oil fields of the Caucasus a great quantity of thermal water is obtained. This water, with great economical effect, is sometimes used for hot water supplying of industrial and agricultural enterprises and for heating different commercial services etc. Great prospects for a wide utilization of thermal waters are opened in connection with the developing of the oil deposits, namely of the productive horizons of the Middle Miocene deposits. From only one oil field (in the October district of the north Caucasus) 5.6–6.2 million m 3 of water is annually extracted together with the oil. During the whole period of development up to the 1st of January 1969, 260 million m 3 of water at the head of many wells is higher than 80 °C. The extraction of heat by water out of the interior of the oil field amounted to 15.8·10 12 cal for the 55 year period. For generating the same quantity of heat it would be necessary to burn 1.58 million tons of mazut, or 2.3 million tons of coal, or about 2.0 billion m 3 of natural gas. The development, over many years, of Middle Miocene deposits led to a considerable decrease of hydrodynamic levels and expansion of cones of depressions for scores of kilometers. As a result of this there followed the reduction of yield and even the exhausting of many thermal springs. Approximately 90% of the large total recovery of the aggregate amount of liquid from Middle Miocene deposits was from 3–4 levels. A sharp reduction in the recovery of liquid from levels and in connection with the considerable development of some deposits resulted in the increase of hydrodynamic levels. Water of the earlier productive horizons are now the source of thermal supplying of some industrial enterprises. Long regime observations of thermohydrodynamic parameters showed high reliability of hydrodynamic systems in the Neogene deposits. It was observed that while using thermal waters it is necessary to make up their reserves artificially. To determine allowable recovery of thermal water and, in connection with this, to determine the quantity of water injected into the stratum for the recovery of its resources, thermal calculations have been made according to the scheme including convection, transportation of heat in the stratum and heat transfer of the surrounding rocks in the vertical direction. The calculations showed that the most favourable conditions of work of the considered hydrodynamic system, the Black Mountains - Peredovoy ridges, can be created by recovery and injection of 100,000 or 50,000 m 3 water per day. The linear distance between the injected and exploited wells is 5000 meters. At the injection and the extraction of 25,000 m 3 water/day, the temperature of the level will not appreciably decrease. In the near future in the Caucasus, side by side with the direct utilization of thermal energy of the underground waters, the extraction from them of iodine, bromine and other elements can be organized. Thermal mineral waters can have a still wider use for balneology purposes.

The fishes of Ein Feshkha, Palestine.

THE Ein Feshkha area is a marshy stretch of the north-western coast of the Dead Sea. The fauna of the area, which has developed over a long period in total isolation, should have attracted zoologists, in view of the evolutionary problems as well as the special ecological aspects of a thermal–mineral–water fauna; but as no comprehensive account of these problems has so far appeared, the following points may be of interest.

ACUTE ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM.

This paper does not assume the pretension of being a complete discussion of this disease, and only a few of the most important points in the general discussion, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, etiology and treatment, are discussed. The statements here made are the result of a large clinical experience extending over a period of fourteen years' residence at Hot Springs, S. D., and in treating cases of acute articular rheumatism with the assistance of modern hydriatic procedure, latterly in an institution thoroughly under control, employing an alkaline thermal mineral water, and aided by climatologic and topographic conditions, embracing an altitude of 3,400 feet, an excessively dry. sunshiny climate, free from great sudden atmospheric change, some of which factors possibly operate in giving me an experience and ideas different from that of practitioners not so located. Acute articular rheumatism is an acute febrile affection, non-contagious, characterized by a nomadic multiple arthritis, profuse

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses

Bath Thermal Mineral Waters: Their Uses and Abuses