Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Historiography of acidulous waters in the
Canary Islands
Jiménez JF (1) , Rodríguez BC (1) , Navarro E (2) , Jiménez C (3) ,
Camacho C (1) , Jiménez Y (3)
(1) Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canarias, Spain
(2) Hidrología Médica. Universidad de La Laguna. La Laguna. Tenerife, Spain
(3) Universidad de San Pablo-Ceu, Madrid, Spain
jjimenez@denf.ulpgc.es
Introduction and Objectives
To do a histographical revision of acidulous waters in the Canary Islands.
Materials and Methods
Histographical description of acidulous waters in the Canary Islands.
Results
Sour waters or mineral acidulous waters can be found in abundance in the Canary
Islands, due to the fact that the islands are entirely of volcanic origin. These
waters appear on the surface through springs. In Tenerife, sour waters were mainly
concentrated in the area of Chasna. The most important sour waters of Gran Canaria
are in Teror, Telde, Guía, Mafur in Agüimes, in the Rapador Mountain and in the
ravines of Azuaje and the Valle de Agaete. Diachronic analytical tests were carried
out with several samples taken from different springs. The results showed that these
waters are highly-charged with carbonic acid gas.
The sour water of the springs is crystalline, colourless and with no smell. It is
water which is fizzy with an imperceptible sour taste - comparable to that of cider
or slightly sparkling wine.
In 1785, the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Gran Canaria
(RSEAPGC) presented a report about the water in the Fuente Agria of Teror, explaining
that there are just a few particles of iron and salt in this water. In Guía, the
level of iron in the water is higher. The water in Telde contains magnesium too,
which gives the water laxative properties, an excellent way to cure the lack of
appetite and digestive problems such as flatulence and intestinal obstructions (Viera
y Clavijo 2004).
Conclusions
The springs of sour waters in the Canary Islands are still highly prized by the
resident population. Some of these waters have received official acknowledgment
as minero-medicinal waters. The most popular springs have been located in the
north, where some of them still support a major bottled water company in the
Canary Islands.
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 440-441
440
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4