Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
thermal and geochemical properties. And, the dermal absorption of the bio-essential
elements liberated from sand dissolution is an ultimate and essential mechanism.
In short, the sand properties that justify its therapeutic benefits are as follows: 1)
Special chemical composition and easy chemical dissolution - bioavailability of
bioessential elements, Ca, Mg, Sr, P, S, etc.; 2) High heat storing capacity due to
the porosity of most of the biogenic carbonate grains (in sunny days sand temperature
in the transition zone beach/frontal dune can reach 65ºC; 3) Sand temperature
above human body temperature-essential for sweat formation ; 4)Tabular shape of
sand grains - essential for their adhesion to the skin; 5) Sand dissolution by the acid
sweat.
Due to the excellent characteristics of its maritime mild climate, Porto Santo’
island gathers all the conditions for the practice of maritime climatotherapy.
The main meteorological data determined in the island are as follows: Air temperature:
16ºC is the minimum annual temperature measured in February and 24ºC
is the maximum measured in August. Mean annual value of thermal amplitude: It is
estimated at 7ºC. This classifies Porto Santo’s climate as maritime. Sea water
temperature: 18ºC is the minimum mean annual value in February and 24ºC is the
maximum mean annual value in October; for long periods sea water temperature is
higher than air temperature.
Keywords: Porto Santo Island; Biogenic Carbonate Sand; Mineralogical, Morphological,
Thermal and Geochemical Properties
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Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 99-100