Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Physicochemical fingerprinting of thermal waters of Beira Interior region of Portugal

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mineral natural waters and spas have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries, with Portugal being a very rich country in thermal waters and spas that are mainly distributed by northern and central regions where Beira Interior region is located. The use of thermal waters for therapeutic purposes has always been aroused a continuous interest, being dependent on physicochemical fingerprinting of this type of waters the indication for a treatment in a specific pathological condition. In the present work, besides a literature review about the physicochemical composition of the thermal waters of the Beira Interior region and its therapeutic indications, it was carried out an exhaustive multivariate analysis—principal component analysis and cluster analysis—to assess the correlation between different physicochemical parameters and the therapeutic indications claims described for these spas and thermal waters. These statistical methods used for data analysis enables classification of thermal waters compositions into different groups, regarding to the different variable selected, making possible an interpretation of variables affecting water compositions. Actually, Monfortinho and Longroiva are clearly quite different of the others, and Cró and Fonte Santa de Almeida appear together in all analysis, suggesting a strong resemblance between these waters. Thereafter, the results obtained allow us to demonstrate the role of major components of the studied thermal waters on a particular therapeutic purpose/indication and hence based on compositional and physicochemical properties partially explain their therapeutic qualities and beneficial effects on human health. This classification agreed with the results obtained for the therapeutic indications approved by the Portuguese National Health Authority and proved to be a valuable tool for the regional typology of mineral medicinal waters, constituting an important guide of the therapeutic armamentarium for well and specific-oriented pathological disturbs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexandre, M., & Malcata, A. (2000). Termalismo nas doenças Reumáticas: Panaceia ou placebo? Acta Remau Port, 98, 44–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • APRH, A. P. d. R. H., (2014). A água subterrânea.

  • Araujo, A. R. T. S., & Coutinho, P. (2012). Thermal therapy in health: Categorization of therapeutic indications for natural mineral waters in the region of Beira Interior of Portugal. Balnea—Anales de Hidrología Médica, 6, 455–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ardıç, F., et al. (2007). Effects of balneotherapy on serum IL-1, PGE2 and LTB4 levels in fibromyalgia patients. Rheumatology International, 27(5), 441–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bálint, G. P., et al. (2007). The effect of the thermal mineral water of Nagybaracska on patients with knee joint osteoarthritis—A double blind study. Clinical Rheumatology, 26(6), 890–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender, T., et al. (2005). Hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa treatment in pain management. Rheumatology International, 25(3), 220–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockow, T., Schiener, R., Franke, A., Resch, K., & Peter, R. (2007). A pragmatic randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of low concentrated saline spa water baths followed by ultraviolet B (UVB) compared to UVB only in moderate to severe psoriasis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 21(8), 1027–1037.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cantarini, L., et al. (2007). Therapeutic effect of spa therapy and short wave therapy in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, single blind, controlled trial. Rheumatology International, 27(6), 523–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpentier, P. H., & Satger, B. (2009). Randomized trial of balneotherapy associated with patient education in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 49(1), 163–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chambel, A., Duque, J., Matoso, A., & Orlando, M. (2006). Hidrogeologia em Portugal continental. Boletín Geológico y Minero, 117(1), 163–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chevutschi, A., Dengremont, B., Lensel, G., Pardessus, V., & Thevenon, A. (2007). La balnéothérapie au sein de la littérature: Applications thérapeutiques. Kinesitherapie, la revue, 7(71), 14–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Codish, S., Dobrovinsky, S., Shakra, M. A., Flusser, D., & Sukenik, S. (2005). Spa therapy for ankylosing spondylitis at the Dead Sea. IMAJ-RAMAT GAN-, 7(7), 443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costantino, M., Lampa, E., & Nappi, G. (2006). Effectiveness of sulphur spa therapy with politzer in the treatment of rhinogenic deafness. Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 26(1), 7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diegues, P., & Martins, V. (2010). Águas Termais—Riscos e Benefícios para a Saúde. In: DGS (Ed.), Encontro Técnico—Água e Saúde., Caparica.

  • Faílde, R. M. (2006). Afecciones broncopulmonares y ORL. In Técnicas y Tecnologías en Hidrología Médica e Hidroterapia (1st ed., pp. 79–86). Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo).

  • Faílde, R. M., & Mosqueira, L. M. (2006). Afecciones dermatológicas y cosmética dermotermal. In Técnicas y Tecnologías en Hidrología Médica e Hidroterapia (1st ed., pp. 175–179). Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo).

  • Falagas, M., Zarkadoulia, E., & Rafailidis, P. (2009). The therapeutic effect of balneotherapy: Evaluation of the evidence from randomised controlled trials. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 63(7), 1068–1084.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forestier, R. (1999). Magnitude and duration of the effects of two spa therapy courses on knee and hip osteoarthritis: An open prospective study in 51 consecutive patients. Joint, Bone, Spine: Revue du Rhumatisme, 67(4), 296–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaál, J., et al. (2008). Balneotherapy in elderly patients: Effect on pain from degenerative knee and spine conditions and on quality of life. The Israel Medical Association Journal, 10(5), 365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gambichler, T. (2007). Balneophototherapy for psoriasis using saltwater baths and UV-B irradiation, revisited. Archives of Dermatology, 143(5), 647–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghersetich, I., Freedman, D., & Lotti, T. (2000). Balneology today. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 14(5), 346–348.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gil, J. M., Ramos, P. M., & Gil, F. J. M. (1999). Sobre las aguas minerales naturales de España: Asociaciones entre su composición química y localización geográfica. Geographicalia, 37, 139–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillemin, F., Virion, J.-M., Escudier, P., de Talancé, N., & Weryha, G. (2001). Effect on osteoarthritis of spa therapy at Bourbonne-les-Bains. Joint Bone Spine, 68(6), 499–503.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gutembrunner, C., Englert, G., Neues-Lahusen, M., & Gehrke, A. (2001). Controlled Study on Analgetic Effects of Sulphur Baths and Cold Chamber Exposures on Patients Suffering from Fibromyalgia. The Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine, 64(3), 129–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutenbrunner, C., El-Cherid, A., Gehrke, A., & Fink, M. (2001). Circadian variations in the responsiveness of human gallbladder to sulfated mineral water. Chronobiology International, 18(6), 1029–1039.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halevy, S., & Sukenik, S. (1998). Different modalities of spa therapy for skin diseases at the Dead Sea area. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1416–1420.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ippolito, E., De Luca, S., Sommaruga, S., Grassellino, V., & Nappi, G. (2008). Experimental-clinical study on the effects of hydromassage with Thermae Oasis’s salsobromoiodine water in chronic venous stasis disease of the lower extremities. Minerva Cardioangiologica, 56(4), 401–408.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaltel, M. (2001). Thermalisme et bien-être: De la remise en forme aux soins curatifs Chiron Editeur.

  • Jolliffe, I. T. (2002). Principal component analysis and factor analysis. In Springer Series in Statistics, Principal component analysis (2nd ed., pp. 150–166). New York: Springer.

  • Karagülle, M., Karagülle, M. Z., Karagülle, O., Dönmez, A., & Turan, M. (2007a). A 10-day course of SPA therapy is beneficial for people with severe knee osteoarthritis. Clinical Rheumatology, 26(12), 2063–2071.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karagülle, O., et al. (2007b). Clinical study on the effect of mineral waters containing bicarbonate on the risk of urinary stone formation in patients with multiple episodes of CaOx-urolithiasis. World Journal of Urology, 25(3), 315–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Léauté-Labreze, C., et al. (2001). Saline spa water or combined water and UV-B for psoriasis vs conventional UV-B: lessons from the Salies de Bearn randomized study. Archives of Dermatology, 137(8), 1035–1039.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepierre, C. (1930). Chimie et physico-chimie des eaux. Lisboa, Portugal: Le Portugal Hydrologique et Climatique, Industria Graficas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lotti, T. M., & Ghersetich, I. (1996). Mineral waters: Instead of soap or better than soap? Clinics in Dermatology, 14(1), 101–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lourenço, C., & Ribeiro, L., (2004). Classificação das águas minerais naturais e de nascente em Portugal segundo as suas características físico-químicas, Actas 7º Congresso da Água, Associação Portuguesa de Recursos Hidricos.

  • Lourenço, C., Ribeiro, L., & Cruz, J. (2010). Classification of natural mineral and spring bottled waters of Portugal using Principal Component Analysis. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 107(3), 362–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mancini, S, Jr, et al. (2003). Clinical, functional and quality of life changes after balneokinesis with sulphurous water in patients with varicose veins. VASA. Zeitschrift fur Gefasskrankheiten, 32(1), 26–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martens, H., & Naes, T. (1992). Multivariate calibration. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matz, H., Orion, E., & Wolf, R. (2003). Balneotherapy in dermatology. Dermatologic Therapy, 16(2), 132–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merial-Kieny, C., Castex-Rizzi, N., Selas, B., Mery, S., & Guerrero, D. (2011). Avène thermal spring water: An active component with specific properties. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 25(s1), 2–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naes, T., Isaksson, T., Fearn, T., & Davies, T. (2002). A user friendly guide to multivariate calibration and classification. Chichester: NIR publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunes, S., & Tamura, B. M. (2012). Revisão histórica das águas termais. Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology, 4(3), 252–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panico, V., & Imperato, R. (2009). The psoriasis: A therapeutic alternative with sulphureous water of Terme Capasso. Journal of Water & Wellness, 1(1), 39–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paran, E., Neuman, L., & Sukenik, S. (1998). Blood pressure changes at the Dead Sea (a low altitude area). Journal of Human Hypertension, 12(8), 551–555.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petraccia, L., et al. (2004). Spa and climate therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. La Clinica Terapeutica, 156(1–2), 23–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Picoto, A. (1996). Mineral water and spas in Portugal. Clinics in Dermatology, 14(6), 637–639.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pittler, M., Karagülle, M., Karagülle, M., & Ernst, E. (2006). Spa therapy and balneotherapy for treating low back pain: Meta-analysis of randomized trials. Rheumatology, 45(7), 880–884.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rebelo, M., da Silva, E. F., & Rocha, F. (2015). Characterization of Portuguese thermo-mineral waters to be applied in peloids maturation. Environmental Earth Sciences, 73(6), 2843–2862.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rebelo, M., Rocha, F., & Da Silva, E. F. (2010). Mineralogical and physicochemical characterization of selected Portuguese Mesozoic-Cenozoic muddy/clayey raw materials to be potentially used as healing clays. Clay Minerals, 45(2), 229–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rebelo, M., Viseras, C., López-Galindo, A., Rocha, F., & da Silva, E. F. (2011). Characterization of Portuguese geological materials to be used in medical hydrology. Applied Clay Science, 51(3), 258–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salami, A., et al. (2008). Sulphurous water inhalations in the prophylaxis of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 72(11), 1717–1722.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva, L. E., et al. (2008). Hydrotherapy versus conventional land-based exercise for the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized clinical trial. Physical Therapy, 88(1), 12–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabolli, S., Calza, A., Di Pietro, C., Sampogna, F., & Abeni, D. (2009). Quality of Life of Psoriasis Patients before and after Balneo-or Balneophototherapy. Yonsei Medical Journal, 50(2), 215–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Tubergen, A., & van der Linden, S. (2002). A brief history of spa therapy. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 61(3), 273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhagen, A., et al. (2008). Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis. A cochrane review. The Journal of Rheumatology, 35(6), 1118–1123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vu, K., & Mitsunobu, F. (2004). Spa Therapy for Bronchial Asthma Studies at the Misasa Medical Center. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 10(3), 144–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vu, K., & Mitsunobu, F. (2005). Spa therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Studies at the Misasa Medical Center. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 11(2), 89–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (PEst-OE/EGE/UI4056/2014) and Mais Centro “UDI/Transferência de IDT e Desenvolvimento do Produto” da UDI-IPG (CENTRO-07-CT62-FEDER-005026).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CPIRN-UDI/IPG, Centro de Potencial e Inovação em Recursos Naturais, Unidade de Investigação para o Desenvolvimento do Interior, Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, Av. Dr. Francisco de Sá Carneiro, Nº 50, 6300-559, Guarda, Portugal

    A. R. T. S. Araujo, M. P. Ribeiro & P. Coutinho

  2. LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal

    M. C. Sarraguça

Authors
  1. A. R. T. S. Araujo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. C. Sarraguça
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. P. Ribeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Coutinho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Coutinho.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary Fig. 1

Biplot of the first two components of the PCA made with 7 variables (excluding total sulfur) (TIFF 5804 kb)

Supplementary Fig. 2

Dendogram of the cluster analysis performed with the Ward’s methods 8 variables in absolute values (TIFF 2728 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Araujo, A.R.T.S., Sarraguça, M.C., Ribeiro, M.P. et al. Physicochemical fingerprinting of thermal waters of Beira Interior region of Portugal. Environ Geochem Health 39, 483–496 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9829-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9829-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation