Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Therapeutic indications of the mineral waters of
Galicia (NW Spain) according to their
thermo-hydrogeological characteristics
Juncosa R (1) , Mejide R (2) , Delgado J (1)
(1) University of Coruña, Water engineering and the environment group (GEAMA), Spain
(2) University of A Coruña, Departament of Medicine, A Coruña, Spain
rmf@udc.es
Introduction and Objectives
The therapeutic properties of mineral waters from Galicia (NW Spain) are related
to the chemical characteristics of the sources that outcrop in Galicia. The chemistry
of the water is directly related to the geologic matrix by flowing and which is
enriched mineralogically. Therefore, Galicia appears to be very rich in terms of
exploitation, applications and using of different thermal, mineral-natural and mineral-medicinal
resources.
Galicia is one of a large outcrop dominated by igneous and metamorphic rocks
called Hesperian Massif where there are many thermal manifestations. The
groundwater flow can develop in very different time scales according to the hydrodynamic
and geological characteristics. Groundwater dissolved minerals as they
ascend to the surface.
Materials and Methods
Study of the hydrochemical situation of groundwater and mineral springs of Galicia
regarding the common characteristics of Galician waters, the substrate geological
outcrop, identifying physical and chemical parameters and therapeutic use
Results
Most of the groundwater flowing through silicate lithologies is medium and
coarse grain. They tend to be sodium/potasium bicarbonate. However, in some
thermal source and source near the coast, the chlorinated component can be very
important (e.g.: Thermal source of A Toxa, Caldas de Reis). The deepwater ascent
through igneous and metamorphic rocks with sulphide content, (where conditions
are anoxic) can cause sulfur sources on the surface (e.g.: Spa of Guitiriz, Baños da
Brea, Termas de Cuntis) . The water passing through carbonate rocks (limestone
and dolomite) causes water with calcium bicarbonate or calcium / magnesium
chemism. There is also a characterization gaseous in some sources for the chemical
imbalance of water with the carbonated rock (e.g.: Mondariz, Agua de Cabreiroá,
Agua de Fonte Nova).
Balnea 430
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4
2012, núm. 6, 430-431