In Europe, ca. 1900 "mineral water" brandsare officially registered and bottled for drinking. Bottled waters isgroundwater and is in large parts of the continent rapidly developing into themain supply of drinking water for the general population.This book is the first state of the art overview of the chemistry ofgroundwaters from 40 European countries from Portugal to Russia, measured on1785 bottled water samples, equivalent to 1189 distinct bottled water brandsfrom 1247 wells in 884 locations plus an additional 500 tap water samplesacquired in 2008 by the network of EuroGeoSurveys experts all across Europe.In contrast to previously available compilations, all chemical data (containedon the enclosed CD) were measured in a single laboratory, under strict qualitycontrol with high internal and external reproducibility, affording a singlehigh quality, internally consistent dataset. More than 70 parameters weredetermined on every sample using state of the art analytical techniques withultra low detection limits (ICPMS, ICPOES, IC) at a single hydrochemical labfacility. Because of the wide geographical distributionof the water sources across 40 European countries, the bottled mineral,drinking and tap waters characterized herein may be used for obtaining a firstestimate of "ground- water geochemistry" at the scale of the EuropeanContinent, previously unavailable in this completeness, quality and coverage.The data published here allow for the first time to present a comprehensiveinternally consistent, overview of the natural distribution and variation ofthe determined chemical elements and additional state parameters of groundwaterat the European scale. Most elements show a very widerange, usually 3 to 4 but up to 7 orders of magnitude, of natural variation of their concentration. Data are interpreted in terms of their origin, considering hydrochemical parameters, such as the influence of soil, vegetation cover and mixing with deep waters, as well as other factors (bottling effects, leaching from bottles). A chapter is devoted to comparing the results from the bottled waters with those of European tap waters and previously published datasets. The authors also provide an overview of the legal framework, that any bottled water sold in the European Union must comply with. It provides a comprehensive compilation of current drinking water action levels in European countries, limiting values of the European Drinking/Mineral/Natural Mineral Water directives (1998/83/EC, 2003/40/EC, 2009/54/EC) and legislation in effect in 26 individual European Countries, and for comparison those of the FAO and in effect in the US (EPA, maximum contaminant levels [MCA]). The accompanying CD contains the extensive data sets, sample data (of 1189 different brands) and two previously published European water chemistry data sets.

This book brings together the latest findings on mineral and thermal waters from countries in Southeastern (SE) Europe (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Romania and Bulgaria). Each chapter is dedicated to the most recent geochemical and hydrogeological investigations for a specific country in SE Europe, helping readers to understand the origins and applications of mineral and thermal waters – aspects which are of great importance for the economic development of this region, as these waters are renewable resources, and have been gaining in popularity over the last few decades. Thanks to the region’s favorable geological conditions, it is home to more than 6,000 sources of mineral and thermal waters, characterized by different physical properties and chemical compositions.

Environmental Geochemistry: Site Characterization, Data Analysis, Case Histories, and Associated Health Issues provides a wealth of information on modern geochemical methods, techniques, and procedures for those studying toxic substances found in soil, air, and water. This new edition takes an especially close look at environmental pollution and its impact on human health. The first third of the book looks at a variety of methods and procedures, such as taking groundwater samples, biological monitoring, geochemical mapping, and models of geochemical speciation. This is followed by a close look at different pollutants, including lead and pesticides. The authors conclude with several detailed case histories examining health issues resulting from environmental pollution. Environmental researchers and practitioners will return to this book again and again in their work towards understanding and reducing the environmental pollutants that affect our health. - Provides an in-depth examinations of the latest geochemical techniques and procedures - Presents a detailed analysis of various applied studies in pollution and contamination - Includes new case histories that highlight environmental pollution and related health issues

Environmental Geochemistry: Site Characterization, Data Analysis and Case Histories, Second Edition, reviews the role of geochemistry in the environment and details state-of-the-art applications of these principles in the field, specifically in pollution and remediation situations. Chapters cover both philosophy and procedures, as well as applications, in an array of issues in environmental geochemistry including health problems related to environment pollution, waste disposal and data base management. This updated edition also includes illustrations of specific case histories of site characterization and remediation of brownfield sites. - Covers numerous global case studies allowing readers to see principles in action - Explores the environmental impacts on soils, water and air in terms of both inorganic and organic geochemistry - Written by a well-respected author team, with over 100 years of experience combined - Includes updated content on: urban geochemical mapping, chemical speciation, characterizing a brownsfield site and the relationship between heavy metal distributions and cancer mortality

This comprehensive text focuses on the increasingly important issues of urban geochemical mapping with key coverage of the distribution and behaviour of chemicals and compounds in the urban environment. Clearly structured throughout, the first part of the book covers general aspects of urban chemical mapping with an overview of current practice and reviews of different aspects of the component methodologies. The second part includes case histories from different urban areas around Europe authored by those national or academic institutions tasked with investigating the chemical environments of their major urban centers.

Building on the success of its 1993 predecessor, this second edition of Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution has been thoroughly re-written, updated and extended to provide a complete and authoritative account of modern hydrogeochemistry.Offering a quantitative approach to the study of groundwater quality and the interaction of water, minerals,

Soil and Water Contamination, Second Edition gives a structured overview of transport and fate processes of environmental contaminants. Providing a structured overview of transport and fate processes of environmental contaminants, this textbook approaches the environmental issues of soil and water contamination from a spatial and earth science point of view. The new edition contains new material on pesticides and pharmaceutical contaminants and a greater number of exercises, case studies, and examples. It covers topics essential to understanding and predicting contaminant patterns in soil, groundwater, and surface water and contributes to the formation of a solid basis for adequate management and control of soil and water pollution and integrated catchment.

The discussion on arsenic in the environment is complex and must grasp the importance of very many, mostly unrelated works on individual aspects. This volume represents one of the first comprehensive and interdisciplinary examinations into arsenic's behaviour in air, water, soils, sediments, plants and the human body. Based on state-of-the-art investigations into the global arsenic cycle, the related human toxicology and available remediation technologies, arsenic is assessed holistically in all the environmental compartments. Using the results of primary research, the authors offer concrete suggestions for risk reduction and management of environmental pollution that allow the reader to successfully tackle similar problems and find sustainable solutions. The book consists of three essential parts: Review of the current knowledge of arsenic behaviour in the environment (global biogeochemical cycles), toxicology, remediation techniques, immobilization technologies and environmental legislation Case studies for mining-related arsenic problems Discussion of mitigation and remediation technologies and approaches such as environmental education, hygiene training, backed by real experience and successful implementation in the study area In a highly coherent manner, the book makes use of 120 tables and figures, a large number of literature citations, and very detailed subject index (that encompasses references) to provide rapid and up-to-date access to all relevant information. Cross-references provide a great manoeuvrability between the chapters. The book delivers very insightful and hands-on approaches for graduate students and professionals working on arsenic questions not only in environmental science, but also in the fields of environmental engineering, medicine and social science.

This book addresses questions of relevance to governments and industry in many countries around the world, in particular concerning the link between contaminated-land-management programs and the protection of drinking water resources and the potential effects of climate changes on the availability of these same resources. On the “problem” side, it reports and analyzes methodologies and experiences in monitoring and characterization of drinking water resources (at basin, country and continental scales), pollution prevention, assessment of background quality and of impacts on safety and public health from land and water contamination and impacts of climate change. On the “solution” side, the book presents results from national cleanup programs, recent advances in research into groundwater and soil remediation techniques, treatment technologies, research needs and information sources, land and wastewater management approaches aimed at the protection of drinking water.

The various safety organizations working on drinking water all warn about unhealthy constituents, as well as elements that can cause corrosion or scaling on pipes and installations. However, drinking water may also provide a substantial portion of the daily mineral intake, especially for the elderly and children, or those at risk of deficiencies due to unhealthy eating habits or starvation. Thus, a holistic approach to drinking water is presented in this book and the scope is extended from standards for undesirable substances to the basic mineral composition of water, examining 22 nutrient elements and ions and 21 toxic substances. The function of the nutrients in the body, symptoms of deficiency and overload, and advantages of the minerals from drinking water are presented, as well as symptoms of toxic elements from drinking water. The authors also suggest healthy ranges of minerals and mineral ratios for drinking water. The book offers a valuable resource for the health evaluation of drinking waters, for private well owners, public water producers and safety organizations alike.