Origin of mineral waters from Someseni, Transylvanian Basin, Romania

Abstract

Analysis of the stable isotope composition of the mineral waters from Someseni, Transylvanian Basin, Romania has been made to constrain their origin. The mineral-rich aquifer is located on the western border of the Neogene Transylvanian Basin. The isotopic study (18 O, D) of mineral waters from Someseni Spa was carried in order to rehabilitate them as natural curative waters. Water samples from five springs (1, 2, 3, 8 and 15), from Becas Brook and from River Somes were collected monthly from October 2003 to March 2004. The quantity of precipitation and the mean temperature in the area were monthly recorded. The deuterium vs. 18 O investigations of the springs indicate a meteoric provenance with deep circulation, having the deuterium content of meteoric water, but shifted to a higher 18 O content as result of isotopic exchange with country rock. The dD and d18 O values for springs 3 and 8 in February 2004 and March 2004 respectively, suggest some influence of surface waters derived from melting of the snow cover.