Chemical Characterisation of the Spring Waters used for Health Care, Guber, Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The Guber spring waters in Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina) were used for centuries, and continue to be used for health-care purposes. The experts noted 48 mineral springs of different discharges and chemical composition. In this study, the physico-chemical properties, content of heavy metals and anions were determined in four selected spring waters (Mali Guber, Očna voda, Sinus voda and Ljepotica). Very low pH and very high concentrations of iron and sulphate are found in all springs. The highest concentrations of iron (2069 μg/mL) and sulphate (2486 μg/mL) and the lowest pH (1.67) were measured at spring Očna voda. The concentration of other metals and anions varied between different springs. Correlations between physico-chemical parameters and concentration of metals and anions in the water samples were also evaluated. Results for the spring water Sinus voda were evaluated for the first time.