Problematic Sources

Traditional Russian worldviews explained healing from water sources in terms both Protestants and Catholics would have used elsewhere in Europe: as the grace of God or as the intervention of saints through associated relics or wonder-working icons. Holy wells were freely venerated within parishes until the eighteenth century when Peter the Great and the Holy Synod (the Russian Orthodox Church’s highest governing body) forbade pilgrimage to holy wells in a reformist drive to eradicate religious “superstitions.” This essay employs primary sources to consider how nineteenth-century developments at Russian holy wells and mineral springs related to social class, economics and those eighteenth-century reforms that merged the church with government structures. While liturgical activities at holy wells and the designation of new holy wells was criminalized, mineral springs gained appeal for “scientific” cures and as resort enterprises for the upper classes

Helium isotope studies of the Central Tien Shan

The research shows new results of isotope-helium studies carried out in the Tien Shan - Naryn and Atbashi basins. Sampling of thermal mineral springs in the Eastern Tien Shan was carried out in order to identify traces of mantle emanations in fluids and to assess the degree of permeability of the Earth’s crust for the introduction of deep masses, which would make it possible to clarify the nature of the interaction of the crust and mantle in the zone of recent orogeny. Concentrations of helium isotopes were measured in gas and water samples from 6 thermal mineral springs in the Central Tien Shan. It was found that fluids from three sources contain an abnormally high amount of mantle helium. In the gases of the Narzan source, the ratio 3He/4He in the gas phase (597÷600) × 10−8 reaches the Central Asian maximum found earlier on the Fergana ridge in the Kyzyl-Beles source (510÷630) × 10−8. The obtained results support the ideas on the existence of two sublatitudinal positive helium isotope anomalies on the northern and southern flanks of the Eastern Tien Shan - in the zones of junction of the epiplatform neoorogene with more ancient tectonically stable structures.

Natural tourist resources in Rhodope tourist region

Rhodope Tourist Region is one of the most attractive tourist regions in Bulgaria and one of the few that stand out with almost uniform year-round development of tourist activities. The outlines of the tourist area largely coincide with the outlines of the mountain of the same name. This fact predetermines the exceptional richness and diversity of natural tourist resources. Here are the largest coniferous forests in the country, some of the largest dams, the largest number of caves used for tourist purposes, many mineral springs, bizarre rock formations, etc. The relatively well-preserved natural environment is a prerequisite for the presence of extremely high biodiversity, as well as a large number of protected areas. The region is specialized in mountain tourism, incl. ski tourism and hiking. In connection with the available natural tourist resources, the tourism product is increasingly enriched with various specialized types of tourism, incl. balneotherapy tourism, ecotourism, rural tourism, etc. In connection with the increasingly intensive tourist load, the problem of protecting the natural tourist resources from the growing anthropogenic pressure, as well as the prospects for sustainable development of the tourist industry in the region are becoming especially relevant. The aim of the present paper is to valorize the natural tourist resources of the Rhodope tourist region and to give guidelines for their sustainable use.

General Description of Hydrogen Sulfide Mineral Waters on the Left Bank of the Alazani River

The study object is located in the main hydrographic unit of Shida Kakheti - on the left bank of Alazani river, along the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus and includes a strip starting from the village of Shakriani (Telavi district), ending with the regional center Lagodekhi (Lagodekhi gorge, left tributary of the Alazani river). Within this zone, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) mineral springs are prevalent. Besides, these waters are opened by exploratory - hydrogeological wells. Among these springs, "Torghva Bath" and "Lagodekhi Bath" are especially popular among the local population. The first of these is located in the upper reaches of the Story Valley, and the second - in Lagodekhi gorge, 7 km away from the settlement. The mineral springs "Muni Tsakaro" and "Mkrali Waters" are also important for their healing properties. Based on the analysis of theoretical and field materials, Kakheti hydrogen sulfide waters are characterized in detail and possibly their use for resort purposes.

Geochemical Conditions of the Origin of Hydrogen Sulfide Mineral Waters on the Left Bank of the Alazani River

Based on the description of the geological structure and hydrogeological conditions of the area in question, there is an opinion about the formation of hydrogen sulfide in groundwater. However, this view differs from the classical theory of sulfate reduction. It is substantiated that the production of hydrogen sulfide in groundwater due to the action of sulfate bacteria takes place not only in the recovery environment, but also in the oxidation zone. The validity of this view is confirmed by the analysis of deep hydrogeological wells and field survey data. Existence of hydrogen sulfide mineral springs within Kakheti is related to carbonate flysch. Their formation, circulation, including natural solutions is entirely in the form of carbonate flysch and is probably the origin of the formation of hydrogen sulfide healing waters. In addition to the mineral springs of Kakheti, the wide prospects of practical use of these waters are discussed, which is related to the picturesque nature and excellent climatic conditions of the area, which provides a great opportunity for resort-medical construction in the Kakheti region.

Analysis of Exposure To Radon in Bulgarian Rehabilitation Hospitals

Mineral springs are used in spa resorts throughout the world. Radon is a natural radioactive source, which can dissolve, accumulate, and be transported by water. This study investigates the radon concentration in air and water in 12 Bulgarian rehabilitation hospitals and presents the assessment of the exposure to radon in them. The measurements were performed at 401 premises within 21 buildings, using two types of passive detectors for a dry and wet environment that were exposed from February, 2019 to June, 2019. The radon concentration varied from 19 to 2550 Bq/m3 with an arithmetic mean and a standard deviation of 102 Bq/m3 and 191 Bq/m3, respectively. The hypothesis that in hospitals the source of radon, besides soil under the buildings, is also the mineral water that is used for treatment, was tested. Thermal water samples were procured sequentially from a spring and baths to analyse the reduction of radon concentration in them till reaching the premises. The results show that the concentration of radon decreased by approximately 50%. Further, the correlation analysis applied to the data proved the relation of the levels of indoor radon in the treatment rooms with those in the water. Mineral water used in rehabilitation hospitals have radon transfer coefficients ranging from 4.5·10− 4 to 8.4·10− 3. In addition, an analysis of the exposure of patients and workers to radon in rehabilitation hospitals based on the indoor radon levels and period of exposure was performed.

Water-source contributions to barrier lakes and water-rock interactions in the Wudalianchi volcanic area, Northeast China

Wudalianchi is a typical continental Cenozoic volcanic group rich in potassic volcanic rocks (Northeast China). Five hydrologically connected barrier lakes (Lakes 5 to 1) and upwelling cold mineral springs occur, forming a complex lake-groundwater system. Clarifying the water-source contributions and the role of water-rock interactions in the hydrological cycling for barrier lakes remains a challenge from scientific and engineering perspectives. In this study, seasonal variations of multiple isotopes were analyzed. δ18O and δD data indicate that the Wudalianchi lakes were mainly fed by mineral springs. The values, however, were greatly influenced by precipitation (rain and snow) and varying evaporation intensities. In contrast, 87Sr/86Sr ratios varied little between seasons (0.70701–0.7079), suggesting similar water-rock interactions through time. Nonetheless, Sr isotopic mixing models suggested that shallow mineral springs generally contributed >50% of the water to lower reaches. In contrast, the upstream wetland contributed >50% to Lake 5 and decreased down-valley (10.3–53.6%). Calculations based on the δ18O and δD Rayleigh fractionation equation suggest that evaporation in upper reaches were higher than the lower reaches. The evaporation in July were generally higher than in October. This study demonstrates the homogenous water-rock interactions and the associated water mixing effects on the terrestrial volcanic area.