Hydrochemical and Microbiological Investigations and the Therapeutic Potential of Some Mineral Waters from Bihor County, Romania

Ribana Linc (), Emilia Pantea, Eugenia Șerban, Anca-Paula Ciurba (Pastor) and Georgeta Serban
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Ribana Linc: Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sports, University of Oradea, 1 University St., 410087 Oradea, Romania
Emilia Pantea: Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru St., 410057 Oradea, Romania
Eugenia Șerban: Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru St., 410057 Oradea, Romania
Anca-Paula Ciurba (Pastor): Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sports, University of Oradea, 1 University St., 410087 Oradea, Romania
Georgeta Serban: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 29 Nicolae Jiga, 410028 Oradea, Romania

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-23

Abstract: Water quality plays an important role for every sustainable social and economic system, as well as for maintaining human health. This study, carried out during 2022–2023, has as its main objective the physical–chemical and microbiological analysis of some underground water resources (two boreholes and a spring) with a natural mineral load from three areas in Bihor County (Romania), and the impact of their consumption on people’s health. Therefore, six microbiological parameters and 17 physical–chemical indicators in three localities (Tămășeu, Sîntimreu, Pădurea Neagră) were analyzed. The results of the microbiological analysis indicate a type of water that respects the limits imposed by the legislation on natural mineral waters and potability. The physical–chemical indicators show that the hydrochemical type of the studied waters is predominantly bicarbonate, in association with calcium, magnesium, and sodium cations. The residents’ perception on water quality and the effect on people’s health was assessed through a questionnaire (23 items) addressed to the population of the three villages and neighboring localities. The results showed that the mineral waters from Sîntimreu and Pădurea Neagră are used frequently. Many respondents consider the local mineral waters as without quality-related problems and with beneficial effects regarding acute or chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, flatulence, or liver diseases.

Keywords: natural mineral water; hydrochemistry; microbiological analysis; spring; borehole; water quality; therapeutic effect; diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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