Thermomineral Water Research Articles

Geology and hydrogeochemistry of the thermo-mineral waters of the South Rif Thrust (Northern Morocco)

The South Rif Thrust (Northern Morocco) is characterized by several thermo-mineral water sources with outlet temperatures ranging from 24 °C to 54 °C. The anomalous temperatures of these resurgences are linked to deep circulation in areas where the geothermal gradients are abnormally high (>35 °C km−1). Nonetheless, the factors that govern the geological environment, heat flux and chemical characteristics of these thermo-mineral waters are still poorly defined. In order to provide a more comprehensive knowledge of their potential as geothermal resources, a multidisciplinary geological, hydrogeochemical, and isotopic study was carried out in 2014.The results show a hydrochemical heterogeneity displaying a large range of chemical facies, salinity and outlet temperatures, attributed not only to water-rock interactions but as well to different degrees of mixing processes between water types (regional deep diluted waters, shallow cold immature waters and deep thermal waters). The isotopic signature of thermo-mineral waters sampled (δ18O, δ2H and 3H) suggests a similar meteoric origin, recharged before the 1950’s, but from two different recharge areas: (1) the pre-Rif, the Western Meseta and/or the South Rif Thrust itself and (2) the Meseta-Atlas domain. Theoretical equilibrium temperatures at depth, ranging from 50 to 150 °C, confirm their potential as geothermal resources and the computed reservoir depths (between 0.7 and 3.0 km) which also suggest a deeper groundwater circulation than those proposed by previous studies which considered the Mesozoic aquifer (∼1.5 km depth) as the main source.Finally, the spatial correlation between thermo-mineral springs resurgences at the intersection between E-W Rif thrusts and NE-SW strike-slip fault systems, highlights the importance of those geological structures as preferential paths for groundwater circulation, privileging those intersections as priority sites to conduct further geothermal exploration.

Exercise training in thermo-mineral spring water has beneficial effects on hemodynamic and health-related factors in young-older hypertensive women: A randomized control trial

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week aerobic training in mineral geothermal water on hemodynamic variables, VO2max, and body composition in sedentary hypertensive women. Twenty postmenopausal women (58.55 ± 3.28 years) were divided into an exercise group (2 days/week, 30–40 minutes, 60%–75% of HRmax) and control group. Compared to the control group, a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, rate pressure product, body fat percent, and a significant improvement in VO2max values was found. Aerobic training in thermo-mineral spring water is a safe and effective training modality in the young-older hypertensive population.

Conditions and Possibilities of Geothermal Energy Utilization to Enhance Economic-Touristic Development of Jošanička Banja

Abstract According to the temperature, thermomineral water can be used for various balneological treatmens, as well as for agriculture, communal economy, electro economy, etc. This paper analyses homeohtermal (36°C) and hiperthermal (78°C) waters of the spa Jošanička banja which, together with that of Sijarinska (70°C) and Vranjska banja (90-110°C) are some of the hottest waters in the Republic of Serbia. Besides the temperature for balneo and wellness therapies, also very important are mineral properties which show that the water of the spa in question is characterised by the law level of mineralisation with slightly increased concentration of fluorine, sulfate, metabolic acid, silicon dioxide and similar compounds, which makes them suitable for the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory rheumatism, muscle disease, lumbago, sciatica etc. Based on the analysis of the water temperature and yield of dozens of springs with hiperthermal water, thermal capacity of spa water is determined as well as the possibility of using it in the electro economy, communal economy and agriculture. In conclusion, the use of thermomineral water during balneological treatmens can have different, more practical and more economic model. Practice shows that partial use of healing thermomineral water represents a significant loss in energy on the one hand, where, on the other hand, direct discharge of hot water can negatively affect individual components of the enviroment.

Revision of the hydrogeological conceptual models of two Portuguese thermomineral water systems: similarities and differences

This paper aims to highlight the role that the assessment of hydrogeological conceptual models of the thermomineral water systems of a given region plays in the sustainable management and protection of its resources (e.g., possible drilling plans to capture thermomineral waters with higher flow rate and/or temperature) and development (use of thermomineral waters in the various forms). Therefore, a multi and interdisciplinary approach from a variety of scientific fields of the domain of geoscience such as geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and isotope hydrology was applied. Despite the contrasting features of the two thermomineral systems studied, namely, different geochemical signatures ascribed to distinct geological environments (e.g., the Caldas do Moledo system HCO3-Na with 8 < pH < 9, and the Cabeco de Vide system Na-Cl/Ca-OH with pH ≈ 11.5), the respective hydrogeological conceptual models show clear similarities. Regional/local higher altitude areas associated with highly fractured rocks play an important role in conducting the infiltrated meteoric waters towards the discharge zones near the Thermal Spas. The discharge zones are mainly related to the intersection of the main local/regional fault lineaments and conjugate structures, responsible for promoting the ascent of the thermomineral waters. The use of thermomineral waters in spas, bottling industries, or low-temperature geothermal facilities often promote social and economic development at local and/or regional scale. In many cases, it is even a major, if not the main, source of local/regional development. Thus, the importance of such multidisciplinary studies for the sustainable management of these important types of georesources is obvious.

Effects of local mud pack and saline bath therapy in hand osteoarthritis; randomized single-blind study

Hand osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of hyaline cartilage which harms the hand joints. It affects the entire structure of the joints and causes a significant disability. In its etiology, gender, genetics, obesity and trauma play a crucial role. The prevalence increases with age, and although no difference is observed in its occurrence between men and pre-menopausal women, it is frequently seen in postmenopausal women. As it was claimed in the evidence based recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis Report of a Task Force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics and Recommendations for the Use of Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Therapies in Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee; thermal therapies are among the treatment options of hand osteoarthritis. In our trial we aim to prove how and of hands into thermomineral are beneficial on patient's pain and functioning, and to investigate which method is more effective. We have compared the immersion of hands into thermomineral water and the local peloidotherapy methods. 70 patients who have been observed at Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology Department and diagnosed with hand osteoarthritis according to the ACR criteria were included to our trial. The participants have been divided into two groups by computer-based randomization. The method of immersion of hands into the 38°C thermomineral has been applied to one group and the method of application of 42°C peloid has been applied to the other group. The treatment has been applied in cures to the patients in both groups for 2 weeks in total, 20 minutes every day for ten days. Patients have been examined by a blind doctor four times: before the treatment, after the treatment, three and six months after the beginning of the treatment. They were examined by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (pain, patient's overall assessment, physicians global assessment), Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Index (pain, stiffness, and function), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), Grip strength by Jamar hand dynamometer. When the results have been analyzed it has been observed that both treatment groups have reached statistically significant results for improvements of pain and function which show parallelism. These improvements have also been observed in their 3rd and 6th month follow-up controls. In this trial, it has been demonstrated that two different balneological methods – of hands into thermomineral and of hands – have similar positive effects on pain and function and that these effects continue for a long time.

Концептуален модел на находището на термоминерална вода Кюстендил

The objective of the paper is to construct conceptual model of the oldest and most significant deposit of thermal mineral water in Bulgaria. The hot springs in the town of Kyustendil are located in the southern part, at the foot of Hisarlaka hill. The thermo-mineral water deposit is characterized by a high temperature of 73-76 °C, low TDS content of about 0.6 mg/l and a constant chemical composition. Summarized hydrogeological data of all previous studies for the region are presented. The representative hydraulic parameters of the geologic environment from hydraulic tests are described. The geological and tectonic environment in which the mineral waters occur is described in details. A categorization of faults with different directions is made in view of their hydrogeological significance for the Kyustendil water deposit. Thematic overview maps in GIS environment summarize the relevant information for the area. A hydrogeological conceptual model is composed with delineated boundaries for zones of recharge, transition, and drainage of mineral waters. A GIS model with a description of the geological, tectonic and hydrogeological environment of the Kyustendil deposit was built.

Risk Assessment of Mineral Groundwater Near Rogaška Slatina

Groundwater resources of mineral and thermo–mineral water are invaluable for planning a sustainable spatial and economic development of the Rogaška Slatina area, which requires a protection of this natural heritage. Numerous previous investigations of Rogaška groundwaters were subjects to balneology and to demands for larger exploitation quantities, that is why information are missing that are essential for definition of the Rogaška fractured aquifer system with mineral and thermo–mineral water and for its protection. The isotopic investigations of groundwaters stored in the Rogaška Slatina fractured aquifer system were performed aiming at answering open questions on the groundwater recharge and dynamics, on connections between different types of aquifers and on solute transport. Environmental isotopes 2H, 18O, 3H, 13C of dissolved inorganic carbon and 14C were analysed in mineral, thermo–mineral and spring waters. Results indicated the source and mechanism of groundwater recharge, its renewability, a transit time distribution, hydraulic interrelationships, the groundwater origin and its evolution due to effects of water–rock interaction. The mean residence time estimates of mineral and thermo– mineral water in the aquifer are between 3400 and 14000 years. On the other hand, the mixing processes between younger and older waters or mineral and spring waters are reflected as well as waters that infiltrated predominantly after the 1960s. These suggest the vulnerability of the research systems to man–made impacts. The presented results coupled with available information on a physical hydrogeology and water chemistry asses the optimal balance between the environmental protection and economic use of mineral water resources in the study area. They are essential for the protection strategy development of mineral and thermo–mineral water in the Rogaška Slatina area bringing together the state administration and local authorities and stakeholders.

Thermo-Mineral Water the Spa of Peja, Potentiality, Quality, and Usage Possibilities

Thermo-Mineral Water the Spa of Peja, Potentiality, Quality, and Usage Possibilities

Effect of a 21-day balneotherapy program on blood cell counts, ponogen levels, and blood biochemical indexes in servicemen in sub-health condition.

[Purpose] The aim of our study was to explore the changes in the blood of servicemen in sub-health conditions during a 21-day balneotherapy program. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, 129 servicemen in sub-health condition were recruited. The subjects were randomly divided into either the balneotherapy group (70) or the control group (59). Subjects in the balneotherapy group received whole-body immersion bath therapy in thermomineral water (30 min daily) for 21 days. Their blood samples were examined 1 day before and after balneotherapy. The parameters studied included mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell (WBC), lactic acid (LAC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose (GLU), and triglycerides (TG) levels. [Results] After 21 days of balneotherapy, MCH levels and MCHC increased significantly and WBC counts increased significantly. LAC levels decreased significantly. ALT, GLU, and TG levels decreased significantly. In the control group, there were no statistical differences before and after tap water baths following the same procedure. [Conclusion] A 21-day balneotherapy program significantly improved blood cell counts and blood biochemical indexes and reduced ponogen levels in servicemen in sub-health condition.

Effect of mild heat stress on heat shock protein 70 in a balneotherapy model

IntroductionFever-induced mild heat stress plays an important role in cellular responses. The best-known heat shock response is heat shock protein (HSP) secretion. We investigated the effect of mild heat stress on serum HSP70 levels and a possible association between the immune system and these molecules by applying a mild heat stress model using a thermal water bath. MethodPeripheral blood samples from 16 osteoarthritis (OA) patients who were treated with 39–40°C thermo-mineral water immersion were examined. Samples were drawn before the first bath, after the first bath, and at the end of treatment. HSP70 levels and interferon-gamma (IFN)-γ responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay, respectively. ResultsIFN-γ-secreting PBMC numbers were increased significantly in response to HSP70, purified protein derivative (PPD), and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation after the first bath, as compared to before bathing values (p=0.005, p=0.012, p=0.021). HSP level in serum was also increased after the first bath, and decreased to near-baseline levels after treatment, however the differences were not significant. ConclusionsThe initial increase in HSP 70 and IFN-γ levels after the first bath and the final decrease at the end of serial baths suggest that the immune system adapts to the heat stress at the end of this intervention.

Erratum to: Hydrogeochemical and isotopic tracers for identification of seasonal and long-term over-exploitation of the Pleistocene thermal waters

The aim of the study was to develop and test an optimal and cost-effective regional quality monitoring system in depleted transboundary low-temperature Neogene geothermal aquifers in the west Pannonian basin. Potential tracers for identification of seasonal and long-term quality changes of the Pleistocene thermal waters were investigated at four multiple-screened wells some 720 to 1570 m deep in Slovenia. These thermal waters are of great balneological value owing to their curative effects and were sampled monthly between February 2014 and January 2015. Linear correlation and regression analyses, ANOVA and Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test for two independent samples were used to determine their seasonal and long-term differences. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential and dissolved oxygen did not identify varying inflow conditions; however, they provided sufficient information to distinguish between the four end-members. Characteristic (sodium) and conservative (chloride) tracers outlined long-term trends in changes in quality but could not differentiate between the seasons. Stable isotopes of δ 18O and δ 2H were used to identify sequential monthly and long-term trends, and origin and mixing of waters, but failed to distinguish the difference between the seasons. A new local paleo-meteoric water line (δ 2H = 9.2*δ 18O + 26.3) was outlined for the active regional groundwater flow system in the Pannonian to Pliocene loose sandstone and gravel. A new regression line (δ 2H = 2.3*δ 18O–45.2) was calculated for thermomineral water from the more isolated Badenian to Lower Pannonian turbiditic sandstone, indicating dilution of formation water. Water composition was generally stable over the 1-year period, but long-term trends indicate that changes in quality occur, implying deterioration of the aquifers status.

Hydrogeochemical and isotopic tracers for identification of seasonal and long-term over-exploitation of the Pleistocene thermal waters.

The aim of the study was to develop and test an optimal and cost-effective regional quality monitoring system in depleted transboundary low-temperature Neogene geothermal aquifers in the west Pannonian basin. Potential tracers for identification of seasonal and long-term quality changes of the Pleistocene thermal waters were investigated at four multiple-screened wells some 720 to 1570m deep in Slovenia. These thermal waters are of great balneological value owing to their curative effects and were sampled monthly between February 2014 and January 2015. Linear correlation and regression analyses, ANOVA and Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-sample test for two independent samples were used to determine their seasonal and long-term differences. Temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential and dissolved oxygen did not identify varying inflow conditions; however, they provided sufficient information to distinguish between the four end-members. Characteristic (sodium) and conservative (chloride) tracers outlined long-term trends in changes in quality but could not differentiate between the seasons. Stable isotopes of δ (18)O and δ (2)H were used to identify sequential monthly and long-term trends, and origin and mixing of waters, but failed to distinguish the difference between the seasons. A new local paleo-meteoric water line (δ (2)H = 9.2*δ (18)O + 26.3) was outlined for the active regional groundwater flow system in the Pannonian to Pliocene loose sandstone and gravel. A new regression line (δ (2)H = 2.3*δ (18)O-45.2) was calculated for thermomineral water from the more isolated Badenian to Lower Pannonian turbiditic sandstone, indicating dilution of formation water. Water composition was generally stable over the 1-year period, but long-term trends indicate that changes in quality occur, implying deterioration of the aquifers status.

Efficacité de la cure thermale dans la prise en charge de la gonarthrose, quelles sont les preuves ?

(Creno) balneotherapy is the treatment modality that uses thermomineral water. Well codified in France and some other European countries, there have been many publications about its efficacy and efficiency in knee osteoarthritis, and here we report the most rigorous ones. It appears that radon has no significant effect on knee osteoarthritis. Spa therapy as a complex treatment is improving pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis. This improvement is clinically relevant for patients. Its effect on quality of life and drug consumption is not observed in all of the trials. This treatment seems to be well tolerated even if we have no data about the presence of serious and rare side-effects.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Deokgu Thermomineral Water Balneotherapy on Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Murine Model

BackgroundAlthough the therapeutic mechanism of balneotherapy for atopic dermatitis has not been clarified, many atopic patients who visit thermomineral springs have shown clinical improvements.ObjectiveThis study was aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of thermomineral water balneotherapy on the atopic dermatitis murine model.MethodsThe oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis murine model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of balneotherapy with Deokgu thermomineral water compared with distilled water. Histologic evaluation and confocal microscopic imaging were performed to analyze the lesional expression of cluster-of-differentiation (CD)4 and forkhead box p3 (Foxp3). Lesional mRNA expression of interleukin (IL) 33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and Foxp3 was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsCompared with the distilled water bath group, confocal microscopic evaluation of CD4 and Foxp3 merged images showed increased expression of regulatory T cells in the thermomineral balneotherapy group. The lesional mRNA level of IL-33 showed a reduced trend in the thermomineral balneotherapy group, whereas the level of mRNA of Foxp3 was increased. TSLP showed a decreased trend in both distilled water and thermomineral water bath groups. There was a trend of reduced expression in lesional IL-33 mRNA but increased cell count of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in thermomineral balneotherapy compared with distilled water bath.ConclusionTherefore, thermomineral balneotherapy can be an effective and safe adjuvant therapeutic option for atopic dermatitis.

Comparison of education and balneotherapy efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized, controlled clinical study.

Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic, widespread pain. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods are used. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of balneotherapy on treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome, compared with education alone. A total of 66 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome were randomly separated into balneotherapy and control groups. Patients in both groups were informed about fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition, the balneotherapy group received 21 sessions of spa treatment with 34.8 °C thermomineral water, attending the spa 5 days a week. Patients were evaluated by visual analogue scale, tender point count, fibromyalgia impact questioning, and modified fatigue impact scale at initiation of treatment on the 15th day, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month. Evaluations were performed by the same doctor. Statistically significant improvement was detected in all parameters, compared to starting evaluation, in both groups. Most improved results among all parameters were observed in the balneotherapy group on the first 3-month follow-up. In addition, all parameters beyond tender point count and modified fatigue impact were improved on 6-month follow-up. It was concluded that addition of balneotherapy to patient education has both short- and long-term beneficial effects on female patients with fibromyalgia.

THERMAL MINERAL WATER AS A NATURAL POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPA TOURISM IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in natural resources, among which the most important are mineral, thermal and thermo-mineral waters. Heterogeneous and complex geological tectonics of Bosnia and Herzegovina conditioned emergence of the large number of mineral, thermal, thermomineral water springs that have a significant role in health care, spa and recreational tourism. Initiators of spa tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina are spas. Healing power of thermal mineral springs has been recognized since the time of Greeks and Romans. After World War II visiting spas was more frequent, but in the period from 1948. to 1960., spas were treated as medical facilities. In the early 70's, visiting spas was treated as a component of tourism, therefore hotels, restaurants and new rehabilitation centers were built. Modern life has influenced the transformation of the classic spa tourism which is increasingly getting the characteristics of wellness tourism. This paper presents some thermal mineral water in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are valorized in spas, and registered as medical institutions. Besides them, there are numerous cases of these types of groundwater in our country whose value is still not recognized. Paper also describes problems of spa tourism offer, as well as possible ways of Bosnia and Herzegovina spa destinations improvment.

Characterization of Portuguese thermo-mineral waters to be applied in peloids maturation

Portugal has an old tradition of using thermo-mineral waters for thermal treatments. Near mineral water springs, traditional applications are made using clays mixed with mineral waters gushing up “in situ”, which are employed for the treatment of skin and musculoskeletal disorders. Our research team has found that some of the studied Portuguese clays (and similar formations) have compositional and physico-chemical properties that partially explain their therapeutic qualities. In what concerns Portuguese mineral waters, only a few studies were made trying to characterize and better understand their beneficial effects on human health, when mixed with clays. In fact, the therapeutic efficiency of the obtained thermal products depends on the geochemistry of the mixed clay-mineral water peloid. In this study, a total of 28 thermo-mineral water samples were collected from springs/boreholes located at Portuguese spas or traditional healing baths. The aim of this study was the geochemical characterization of collected water samples, in order to select the most suitable thermo-mineral water samples, reduce the lack of information about the trace/hazardous elements and, also, contribute towards the revitalization of Portuguese thermalism. Results show a large range of chemical characteristics and diverse water types. Temperature, electrical conductivity and pH values are variable among samples. Different hydrochemical water types were obtained from Hill–Piper diagrams. In terms of potential application for maturation, we selected three Ca–SO4 (T1, H1 and H2) and two Na–HCO3 (T14 and T15) water samples as best candidates to produce desirable therapeutic effects on peloids.

Thermomineral water promotes axonal sprouting but does not reduce glial scar formation in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.

Thermomineral water from the Atomic Spa Gornja Trepča has been used for a century in the treatment of neurologic disease. The thermomineral water contains microelements, including lithium and magnesium, which show neural regeneration-promoting effects after central nervous system injury. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral intake of thermomineral water from the Atomic Spa Gornja Trepča on nerve regeneration in a 3-month-old mouse model of spinal cord injury. The mice receiving oral intake of thermomineral water showed better locomotor recovery than those without administration of thermomineral water at 8 and 12 weeks after lower thoracic spinal cord compression. At 12 weeks after injury, sprouting of catecholaminergic axons was better in mice that drank thermomineral water than in those without administration of thermomineral water, but there was no difference in glial reaction to injury between mice with and without administration of thermomineral water. These findings suggest that thermomineral water can promote the nerve regeneration but cannot reduce glial scar formation in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.

Tamarugite-bearing paragenesis formed by sulphate acid alteration in Diana Cave, Romania

An exceptional new occurrence of the mineral tamarugite, NaAl(SO 4 ) 2 · 6H 2 O, from a short karst cavity (Diana Cave, Baile Herculane; SW Romania) is described. It was formed by corrosion of the bedrock (limestone and marls) by a SO 4 2− -rich steam condensate resulting from oxidized S 2− ions escaping from the thermo-mineral water emerging from depth in the cave. Tamarugite forms dull white earthy aggregates. Scanning-electron microscope (SEM) observations reveal tabular subhedral crystals never exceeding 15 μm across. The cell parameters refined from the powder data for the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / a are: a = 7.358(6), b = 25.23(2), c = 6.093(5) A, β = 95.16(5) °, V = 1126.98(1) A 3 . The δ 34 S values of the cave sulphates and the thermal water confirm marine evaporites as the source of sulphur. The sulphate-acid alteration of limestone with contribution of Al 3+ and Na + from the marls and the thermal water is responsible for the formation of tamarugite. The steam-condensate alteration paragenesis includes native sulphur, bassanite, anhydrite, epsomite, pickeringite, halotrichite, apjohnite and alunite, as well as quartz and halite, all primary and secondary speleogenetic by-products.

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.