mineral water

mineral water spring water containing various mineral salts, especially the carbonates, chlorides, phosphates, silicates, sulfides, and sulfates of calcium, iron, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and other metals. Various gases may also be present, e.g., carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, and inert gases. Ordinary well or spring water, in contrast, contains far fewer substances, mostly dissolved sulfates and carbonates, and calcium and other alkali and alkaline earth metals. Many mineral waters also contain trace elements that are thought to have therapeutic value. Spa therapy, widely practiced in Europe, advocates bathing in and drinking mineral waters as a cure for a variety of diseases. Many authorities believe that the success of such therapy really results from the beneficial effects of rest and relaxation. Famous European resorts include Bath, Spa, Aix-les-Bains, Aachen, Baden-Baden, and Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Prominent among resorts in the United States are Poland, Maine; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Berkeley Springs and White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Hot Springs, Ark.; French Lick, Ind.; Waukesha, Wis.; and Las Vegas Hot Springs, N.Mex. Many mineral waters are now prepared synthetically, the various mineral ingredients being added to ordinary water in proportions determined by careful chemical analysis of the original ingredients. See spring .

mineral water Natural, untreated, spring waters, some of which are naturally carbonated, may be slightly alkaline or salty. Numerous health claims have been made for the benefits arising from the traces of a large number of minerals found in solution. They are normally named after the town nearest the source. Examples are Evian, Malvern, Apollinaris, Vichy, Vittel, Perrier.

Sparkling mineral water may either contain the gases naturally present at the source or may be artificially carbonated (soda water, Seltzer water, or club soda). Carbonated beverages are sometimes called minerals.

mineral water Water, often collected from hot springs, containing high concentrations of dissolved salts has been popular for drinking and bathing for centuries, partly for its reputed therapeutic benefits. Interest in these waters was largely responsible for the development of the field of water chemistry. Various geological and hydrological processes are responsible for generating thermal springs. Many are associated with recent volcanic activitity; others result from features such as permeable faults that provide short circuits between deep groundwater flow systems and the land surface.

Mineral waters are extremely variable in composition. High levels of dissolved carbon dioxide provide a natural effervescence that is especially popular in commercial mineral waters. An artificial carbonation process, developed in the early 1800s, provides the effervescence in many modern bottled waters and sodas. Salts enter the water when mineral surfaces in contact with the water dissolve. Other constituents of mineral waters that were once thought to have beneficial effects, such as radium and radon, are now recognized as posing potential health threats and are no longer considered desirable in bottled water.

J. Bahr