Mineral spring
A mineral spring is a spring that produces mineral water . From the point of view of the geoscientist , the distinction between mineral spring and "spring" is a question of relatively arbitrarily set limit values for the mineralization of their waters. Views about it have changed a lot over the course of history. Early statements about mineral waters and their source locations can be found, for example, in the writings of Johann Theodor Tabernaemontanus and Martinus Rulandus .
General
The source of mineral water emerges in a crevice in the surrounding rock or at the top of a water-impermeable layer in the rock. In the latter situation, several mineral springs can coexist. Their exit level is called the source horizon . A prerequisite for a mineral spring is that the water contains a significant amount of dissolved minerals. These can come from the immediately surrounding rock or were transported over long distances in the water to the point of discharge.
Mineral springs are natural or man-made sources of special mineral-rich waters in nature. They can appear in their original state or were created for the purpose of their use due to structural requirements. Some mineral springs are open to the public, others are integrated into the operational processes of a mineral water company or spa.
In general, the definition of the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance of 1984 for the commercial use of such water applies in Germany. This means that the escaping groundwater must contain at least 1000 mg of dissolved substances or 250 mg of carbon dioxide per kilogram of water. In Austria, the issue is regulated by the Spring Water and Mineral Water Ordinance of 1999 as part of a state recognition procedure. In Switzerland, the definition is not based on specific levels of naturally dissolved minerals. According to the Food Ordinance (Art. 279), "natural mineral water ... microbiologically sound water that is obtained with particular care from one or more natural sources or from artificially developed underground water resources."
Due to the high content of dissolved minerals, such sources are said to have a "healing" effect. They are used for drinking and bathing cures .
Mineral components
The following are characteristic components of the waters of medicinal springs:
Anions
- Chlorides , bromides , iodides , carbonates , hydrogen carbonates and sulfates .
Cations
- Potassium , sodium , magnesium , calcium , strontium , iron and manganese ,
- Rubidium and cesium (as trace elements),
- Lithium , barium , aluminum ,
- Copper , lead and zinc (in small amounts).
In addition, silica condensates often occur, whereas fluorides are less common . Phosphoric acid, nitric acid, arsenic acid, boric acid, free sulfuric and hydrochloric acid etc. and organic substances are only found in small quantities. The mineral waters contain gases in dissolved or gaseous form:
- Oxygen , nitrogen , hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide (" carbonic acid ", often in very large quantities), in special cases the noble gas radon .
See also
literature
- Walter Carlé : The mineral and thermal waters of Central Europe . Stuttgart (Wiss. Verlagsgesellschaft mbH) 1975, ISBN 3-804704611
- Jean-Claude Vernex: Mineral Springs. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Theodorus Tabernaemontanus : Neuw Wasserschatz: this is all holy metallic mineral baths and water [...] , Frankfurt am Main 1581 ( online )
- ↑ Walter Carlé, 1975, pp. 24-25
- ^ WC Ambrozi: Physico-chemical investigation of the warm mineral springs zu und bey Teplitz, Volume 1, 1797, p. 41 ( online )
- ^ H. Murawski, W. Meyer: Geological dictionary. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, 11th edition, 2004, 262 pages, ISBN 3-8274-1445-8 .
- ↑ forum-mineralwasser.at
- ↑ Health significance of mineral waters and (mineral) healing springs A location determination ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 214 kB)
