Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
found in groundwater of Poland, and is at the same level as Ge content in thermal
waters, e.g. in Iceland, France, Korea. The Ge:Si ratio varies between 11.4 and
2692 (mean 611).
Germanium does not correlate with temperature and pH, but manifests strong
correlation with SEC, which confirms that Ge possibly originated from the mineral
water component. Germanium also positively correlates with Si, Fe, and As, what
indicates various Ge source phases and processes conducive to the emergence of
geochemical affinity of these elements. The trace analysis demonstrates Ge enrichment
in clay minerals, pyrite, and Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides
Conclusions
Geochemical study revealed high Ge content in potentially medicinal mineral
waters (the Carpathians, SE Poland). This enrichment originates from ascending
mineral water and (re)mobilization from secondary minerals. Water-rock interactions,
and mixing with fresh Ge-free groundwaters bleared primordial geochemistry
of mineral water component.
Germanium in minerals reveals distinct affinity to deep crust elements, like Li,
Rb, Tl, and Ga, what reinforces hypothesis of deep crust Ge-origin in waters.
Studies indicate that Ge-rich water might be found not only in thermal aquifers,
but also in low-enthalpy geological environments, which are enriched in other
minerals than silicates, like sulphides or (oxyhydr)oxides.
The studied Ge-rich mineral waters in Poland can be used in balneotherapy, and
seem to be promising in the context of Ge health benefits. Germanium geochemistry
in medicinal waters is a new research subject worth detailed, multidisciplinary
studying.
Keywords: Germanium, Groundwater Geochemistry, Medicinal Waters, Carpathians
Mountains, Poland
228
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 227-228