High-Precision Direct Determination of the ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr Isotope Ratio of Bottled Sr-Rich Natural Mineral Drinking Water Using MC-ICP-MS

Strontium has four naturally occurring stable isotopes,84Sr,86Sr,87Sr,and 88Sr,with abundances of 0.56,9.87,approximately 7.04,and 82.53 atomic %,respectively.The 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio is variable due to the addition of radiogenic 87Sr produced by the beta decay of 87Rb with a half-life of 4.88 ± 0.05 Ga.Thus,

Effects of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the expression of sirtuin 1 and angiogenic factors in the erectile tissue of rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Consuming a high-fructose diet induces metabolic syndrome （MS）-Iike features, including endothelial dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is an early manifestation of endothelial dysfunction and systemic vascular disease. Because mineral deficiency intensifies the deleterious effects of fructose consumption and mineral ingestion is protective against MS, we aimed to characterize the effects of 8weeks of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the structural organization and expression of vascular growth factors and receptors on the corpus cavernosum （CC） in 10% fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats （FRUCT）. Differences were not observed in the organization of the CC either on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） or the components of the angiopoietins/Tie2 system. However, opposing expression patterns were observed for VEGF receptors （an increase and a decrease for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, respectively） in FRUCT animals, with these patterns being strengthened by mineral-rich water ingestion. Mineral-rich water ingestion （FRUCTMIN） increased the proportion of smooth muscle cells compared with FRUCT rats and induced an upregulatory tendency of sirtuin I expression compared with the control and FRUCT groups. Western blot results were consistent with the dual immunofluorescence evaluation. Plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein and plasma testosterone levels were similar among the experimental groups, although a tendency for an increase in the former was observed in the FRUCTMIN group. The mineral-rich water-treated rats presented changes similar to those observed in rats treated with MS-protective polyphenol-rich beverages or subjected to energy restriction, which led us to hypothesize that the effects of mineral-rich water consumption may be more vast than those directly observed in this study.

Pilot Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of a Natural Mineral Water Rich in Hydrogen Carbonate on Functional Dyspepsia and Heartburn

Background: Dyspepsia and heartburn are among the most frequent complaints of the upper gastrointestinal tract impacting quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of drinking a natural mineral water (medicinal product category “Heilwasser” in Germany) high in hydrogen carbonate (Staatl. Fachingen STILL) on functional dyspeptic complaints and heartburn. Methods: 56 men and women with self-reported heartburn were enrolled to this one-arm pilot study. They had to drink 1.5 L of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water each day over a course of six weeks. Participants reported the number and duration of heartburn episodes in a daily dairy. The Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ), Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GILQI) were used to assess the therapeutic course of the treatment and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess general quality of life. Mean ± standard deviation were calculated and pre- and post-treatment changes were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The consumption of a hydrogen carbonate rich mineral water decreased the number of heartburn episodes per week significantly by 4.8 ± 8.2 at the end of the study (p < 0.001). The duration of episodes was also significantly reduced by 25.7 minutes after six weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the subjectively perceived severity of heartburn, regurgitation and dyspeptic complaints as well as the GERD dimension as assessed by Reflux Disease Questionnaire improved significantly. There was a significant improvement in the disease-specific quality of life as measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (p < 0.001) and by the Quality Of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (p < 0.001) questionnaires and the general health-related quality of life as assessed by SF-12 (p < 0.007). Conclusions: The present pilot study provides evidence that supplementation with natural mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may improve heartburn and dyspeptic symptoms, which finally resulted in an improvement of the subjectively perceived quality of life. Drinking mineral water rich in hydrogen carbonate may be an alternative remedy for the treatment of dyspeptic symptoms and heartburn. Trial Registration: Eudra CT No 2013-001256-36.

Disinfection Byproducts and Their Precursors in Drinking Water Sources:Origins,Influencing Factors,and Environmental Insights

Tracing the contamination origins in water sources and identifying the impacts of natural and human processes are essential for ecological safety and public health.However,current analysis approaches are not ideal,as they tend to be laborious,time-consuming,or technically difficult.Disinfection byproducts(DBPs)are a family of well-known secondary pollutants formed by the reactions of chemical disinfectants with DBP precursors during water disinfection treatment.Since DBP precursors have various origins(e.g.,natural,domestic,industrial,and agricultural sources),and since the formation of DBPs from different precursors in the presence of specific disinfectants is distinctive,we argue that DBPs and DBP precursors can serve as alternative indicators to assess the contamination in water sources and identify pollution origins.After providing a retrospective of the origins of DBPs and DBP precursors,as well as the specific formation patterns of DBPs from different precursors,this article presents an overview of the impacts of various natural and anthropogenic factors on DBPs and DBP precursors in drinking water sources.In practice,the DBPs(i.e.,their concentration and speciation)originally present in source water and the DBP precursors determined using DBP formation potential tests—in which water samples are dosed with a stoichiometric excess of specific disinfectants in order to maximize DBP formation under certain reaction conditions—can be considered as alternative metrics.When jointly used with other water quality parameters(e.g.,dissolved organic carbon,dissolved organic nitrogen,fluorescence,and molecular weight distribution)and specific contaminants of emerging concern(e.g.,certain pharmaceuticals and personal care products),DBPs and DBP precursors in drinking water sources can provide a more comprehensive picture of water pollution for better managing water resources and ensuring human health.

Combination of chlorine and magnetic ion exchange resin for drinking water treatment of algae

The effectiveness of a magnetic ion exchange resin （MIEX） for the treatment of Hongze Lake water in China was evaluated, The kinetics of natural organic matter （NOM） removal at various MIEX doses and contact time, multiple-loading experiments, impacts of MIEX prior to coagulation on coagulant demands and the effectiveness of combination of MIEX, pre-chlorination and coagulation were investigated. Kinetic experimental results show that more than 80% UV254 and 67% dissolved organic carbon （DOC） from raw water can be removed by the use of MIEX alone. 94% sulfate, 69% nitrate and 98% bromide removals are obtained after the first use of MIEX in multiple-loading experiments. It is suggested that MIEX can be loaded up to 1 250 bed volume （BV, volume ratio of tested water to resin） or more without saturation when regarding organics removal as a target. MIEX can remove organics to a greater extend than coagulation and lower the coagulant demand when combining with coagulation. Chlorination experimental results show that MIEX can remove 57% chlorine demand and 77% trihalomethane formation potential （THMFP） for raw water. Pre-chlorination followed by MIEX and coagulation can give additional organic and THMFP removals. The results suggest that MIEX provides a new method to solve thc problem algae reproduction.

Problems of drinking water treatment along Ismailia Canal Province, Egypt

The present drinking water purification system in Egypt uses surface water as a raw water supply without a preliminary filtration process.On the other hand,chlorine gas is added as a disinfectant agent in two steps,pre-and post-chlorination.Due to these reasons most of water treatment plants suffer low filtering effectiveness and produce the trihalomethane(THM) species as a chlorination by-product.The Ismailia Canal represents the most distal downstream of the main Nile River.Thus its water contains all the proceeded pollutants discharged into the Nile.In addition,the downstream reaches of the canal act as an agricultural drain during the closing period of the High Dam gates in January and February every year.Moreover,the wide industrial zone along the upstream course of the canal enriches the canal water with high concentrations of heavy metals.The obtained results indicate that the canal gains up to 24.06×106 m3 of water from the surrounding shallow aquifer during the closing period of the High Dam gates,while during the rest of the year,the canal acts as an influent stream losing about 99.6×106 m3 of its water budget.The reduction of total organic carbon(TOC) and suspended particulate matters(SPMs) should be one of the central goals of any treatment plan to avoid the disinfectants by-products.The combination of sedimentation basins,gravel pre-filtration and slow sand filtration,and underground passage with microbiological oxidation-reduction and adsorption criteria showed good removal of parasites and bacteria and complete elimination of TOC,SPM and heavy metals.Moreover,it reduces the use of disinfectants chemicals and lowers the treatment costs.However,this purification system under the arid climate prevailing in Egypt should be tested and modified prior to application.

Low-Cost Sustainable Technologies for the Production of Clean Drinking Water—A Review

Water has always been an important and life-sustaining drink to humans and is essential to the survival of all known organisms. Over large parts of the world, humans have inadequate access to drinking water and use water contaminated with disease vectors, pathogens or unacceptable levels of toxins or suspended solids. Drinking such water or using it in food preparation leads to widespread, acute and chronic illnesses and is a major cause of death and misery in many countries. The UN estimates that over 2.0 billion people have limited access to safe water and nearly 800 million people lack even the most basic supply of clean water. The main issue is the affordability of water purifying systems. Many people rely on boiling water or bottled water, which can be expensive. Therefore, technologies that are cost effective, sustainable, ease of operation/maintenance and the treatment processes with locally available materials are required. In this article, some unique low-cost sustainable technologies available/or in-use, i.e. natural filtration, riverbank filtration, biosand filtration, membrane filtration, solar water disinfection technique, biologically degradable materials such as moringa powder, scallop powder treatment, and biosand pitcher treatments have been discussed.

Evaluating Raw and Treated Water Quality of Tigris River within Baghdad by Index Analysis

A water quality index (WQI) is a single value indicator of the water quality determined through sum-marizing multiple parameters of water test results into simple terms for management and decission makers. In this paper, thirteen parameters were considered. On the basis of these data, raw and treated drinking water from Tigris River within Baghdad were analyzed. Cluster analysis conducted on the WQI data in this area was applied to detect the fluctuation of water quality. In this study, WQI showed that Tigris water never reached “Excellent” levels nor fallen to “Unsuitable” condition, except in occasional untreated water samples. Effects of various sources of pollution were evident and the needs for intensive studies on WQI became evident.

Analyzing the formation cause of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains

The replenishment source of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains are mainly the melting water from the modern glaciers bottom, snow and ice melting water, atmospheric precipitation, and surface water in Yuzhu Peak area on the Kunlun Mountains. This scenario is based on the survey of hydrogeology, water-conducting and water-controlling faults, and water chemistry, and on the EH-4 high-frequency electronic deep exploration. The original water recharges the deep groundwater at fracture zone of active normal faults F3 and F4 , then groundwater enriches at normal faults F2 and F2-1,2 , and then run northward. A water-rich triangle area is formed when groundwater reach the active reverse fault F1 . Groundwater then discharges through fracture zone of F1 , which is the major cause of the Xidatan mineral springs formation.

Density functional theory study on natural hydrophobicity of sulfide surfaces

Adsorption of water on sulfide surfaces and natural floatability of sulfide minerals were studied using density functional theory （DFT） method. All computational models were built in a vacuum environment to eliminate the effects of oxygen and other factors. H2O molecule prefers to stay with pyrite and sphalerite surfaces rather than water, whereas for galena, chalcocite, stibnite, and molybdenite, H2O molecule prefers to stay with water rather than the mineral surfaces. On the other hand, pyrite surface favors N2 more than water, while sphalerite surface cannot adsorb N2. These results show that galena, stibnite, chalcocite, and molybdenite are hydrophobic, while sphalerite is hydrophilic. Although pyrite has certain hydrophilicity, it tends to be aerophilic because the reaction of pyrite with H2O is weaker than pyrite with N2. Thus, pyrite, galena, chalcocite, stibnite and molybdenite all have natural floatability.

Natural marmatite photocatalyst for treatment of mineral processing wastewater to help zero wastewater discharge

Mineral processing wastewater(MPW)with large discharge and high toxicity affects environmental safety,and the realizing zero discharge of MPW is of great significance for reducing environmental pollution,saving water resources,and promoting the sustainable development of the mining industry.In this study,we reported natural marmatite(NM)as a low-cost and efficient photocatalyst for the treatment of MPW to help zero wastewater discharge.The photocatalytic activity of NM was evaluated by the removal of total organic carbon(TOC)from MPW under visible-light illumination,and the optimal degradation conditions were discussed.Results showed that superoxide free radicals(^(·)O_(2)^(-))were the dominant active species responsible for organic pollutants degradation,and 74.25%TOC removal was obtained after 120 min reaction under the optimum treatment conditions.Meanwhile,the wastewater treated by NM photocatalysis can be reused in the flotation system without adverse impact on the product index.Based on these findings,a model of zero wastewater discharge for flotation with the help of photocatalytic treatment was established,it indicated that the water of the whole system can be balanced without affecting the ore dressing index,which showed that visible light-driven photocatalyst has a promising application prospect in the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater.

Comparison of different combined treatment processes to address the source water with high concentration of natural organic matter during snowmelt period

The source water in one forest region of the Northeast China had very high natural organic matter（NOM） concentration and heavy color during snowmelt period. The efficiency of five combined treatment processes was compared to address the high concentration of NOM and the mechanisms were also analyzed. Conventional treatment can hardly remove dissolved organic carbon（DOC） in the source water. KMn O4pre-oxidization could improve the DOC removal to 22.0%. Post activated carbon adsorption improved the DOC removal of conventional treatment to 28.8%. The non-sufficient NOM removal could be attributed to the dominance of large molecular weight organic matters in raw water, which cannot be adsorbed by the micropore upon activated carbon. O3＋ activated carbon treatment are another available technology for eliminating the color and UV254 in water. However, its performance of DOC removal was only 36.4%, which could not satisfy the requirement for organic matter. The limited ozone dosage is not sufficient to mineralize the high concentration of NOM. Magnetic ion-exchange resin combined with conventional treatment could remove 96.2%of color, 96.0% of UV254 and 87.1% of DOC, enabling effluents to meet the drinking water quality standard. The high removal efficiency could be explained by the negative charge on the surface of NOM which benefits the static adsorption of NOM on the anion exchange resin. The results indicated that magnetic ion-exchange resin combined with conventional treatment is the best available technology to remove high concentration of NOM.

Naturotherapies Based on Minerals

Since the antiquity, and on an empirical basis, man has accumulated experience on the benefits and risks of minerals (such as, special clay, mud and sand) and other mineral resources (such as, salt, sea water, spring water, underground water, volcanic emissions and dust) on human health. Man and minerals are chemical systems sharing a common composition, comprising major, minor and trace chemical elements, such as, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, sulphur, phosphor, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, silicon, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese and fluorine, all essential to life, to a high standard of living and to the formation of minerals;in the natural environment where man lives minerals and chemical elements are omnipresent, therefore, interactions are expected to occur and to condition man’s life and his standard of living, in turn highly determined by our health state. Examples of the properties and medicinal use of certain types of special clay, certain types of special sand, and certain types of special natural mineral water, thermal or not, in the treatment of particular types of health affections will be disclosed.

饮用水处理过程中天然有机物引起的超滤膜污染机制研究进展

天然有机物(NOM)存在于地表水、地下水和土壤水中。超滤(UF)膜技术具有运行压力小、设备集成化程度高和占地面积小等优势,但NOM造成的复合污染使超滤膜在水处理的应用管理变得复杂。本文在概述NOM的来源、组成和化学性质的基础上,通过分析不同结构特征的NOM间的相互作用机制,阐述了不同结构特征的NOM的复合膜污染。从离子与NOM络合的影响因素、络合对NOM理化性质的影响等,分析了离子与NOM的复合膜污染。最后,分析了目前研究面临的挑战,并对未来的发展方向进行了展望。

不同类型居民饮用水天然放射性核素特性分析

为探究不同类型饮用水源中天然放射性核素的差异性,本文对某地区地下水、地表水(河流水、水库水)集中式饮用水源中总α、总β、U_(天然)、Th_(天然)、^(226)Ra、^(40)K、^(210)Pb、^(210)Po放射性活度浓度进行监测分析。结果表明,不同类型饮用水源中总α、总β放射性水平及40K、226Ra等天然放射性核素含量呈一定规律性分布,同时该地区饮用水中总α、总β均未超过GB 5749—2022《生活饮用水卫生标准》规定的限值(总α≤0.5 Bq·L^(-1),总β≤1 Bq·L^(-1)),该地区饮用水源辐射环境状况安全可控。

昆仑山北坡黑刺沟大型天然矿泉水成因分析

昆仑山区现代冰川林立,构造及地貌的发育形成了西大滩大型矿泉水、昆仑圣泉以及昆仑山等诸多优质天然矿泉水源。目前仅昆仑山矿泉水进行了较大规模的开发,其余大量的矿泉水尚处于未开发的原始状态,矿泉水资源十分丰富。通过EH-4音频大地电磁测深、水化学分析及动态监测等手段,采用Piper三线图解法、Gibbs图解法、同位素分析等方法对昆仑山北坡黑刺沟大型天然矿泉水的导水与控水断裂、水化学特殊组分来源及形成机制进行分析研究。结果显示矿泉群主要补给水源为刚欠查鲁马峰一带现代冰川底部冰雪覆盖融区水,冰雪融水通过多期活动的正断层组向深部运移,径流至北侧南倾阻水断层后形成富水区和上涌通道,并沿着通道溢出地表形成矿泉群;泉水中锶元素来源于南部昆仑山硅酸盐组与地下水的水-岩相互作用。

黑龙江省饮用天然矿泉水开发利用现状分析

黑龙江省饮用天然矿泉水主要类型为锶矿泉水、偏硅酸矿泉水、锶偏硅酸复合型矿泉水。在黑龙江省已查明的饮用天然矿泉水点有292个,通过调查评价工作对全省饮用矿泉水的开发利用情况进行分析,正在开发利用的矿泉水点占比30%,且存在限量指标、污染物指标超标情况。并为黑龙江省饮用天然矿泉水的进一步开发利用提出合理化建议。

自然保护地矿产资源开发的生态环境影响综合评价体系研究与应用

自然保护地的管控要求高,然而矿产资源在空间分布上与自然保护地存在重叠,因此对自然保护地应该实施差异化管理政策,并在决策层面开展自然保护地矿产资源开发的生态环境影响评价。目前已建立的矿产资源开发的生态环境影响评价指标系统,多针对矿产开发对矿山环境地质的影响进行研究,而对自然保护地矿产资源开发的生态环境影响评价建立综合评价指标体系的研究很少。首先,综合分析矿产资源的开发特点、矿山企业特点、矿山环境地质特征,参考矿山生态环境影响评价技术规范、自然保护地生态系统特点,筛选出对应的指标因子,并利用层次分析法确定各项指标权重,构建自然保护地矿产资源开发利用的生态环境影响综合评价指标体系;然后,利用该评价指标体系,以2010年为基期,通过实地走访调查、资料分析,结合遥感解译评价结果,针对广州帽峰山森林公园饮用天然矿泉水开发工程项目对该区域生态环境的影响进行综合评价。结果表明:广州帽峰山森林公园饮用天然矿泉水开发工程项目的生态环境影响综合评价得分为84.21分,属于“适宜(勘查)开发”等级,该案例验证了本评价指标体系的科学性、适用性、客观性和可操作性。该研究结果对同类型矿泉水开发区域生态环境影响评价具有一定的借鉴意义。

高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法分析天然矿泉水中溴形态

建立了高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法分析天然矿泉水中溴元素形态的方法,并通过电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定其总溴含量。普通矿泉水不需处理、气泡矿泉水进行超声脱气,流动相选择36 mmol/L硝酸+67 mmol/L氨水,经高效液相色谱-阴离子色谱柱分离,通过ICP-MS进行检测。结果显示:溴形态的分析方法中,溴酸根的回收率为84.0%~104%,相对标准偏差是2.7%~4.2%;溴离子回收率为89.0%~102%,相对标准偏差(RSD)是2.3%~5.1%,定量限2.0μg/L;总溴含量检测方法中,总溴的回收率93.2%~97.2%,RSD为3.1%~5.8%,定量限2.0μg/L。对上海口岸进口的天然矿泉水进行溴酸根和溴离子含量筛查,并对天然矿泉水中溴酸盐产生过程进行探讨。方法的样品前处理条件简单、灵敏度高、重现性好,保持了溴元素原始形态不变,适合天然矿泉水中溴形态分析,为进口天然矿泉水的质量控制与风险监测提供技术支持。

Monthly variations of unregulated brominated disinfection by-products in chlorinated water are correlated with total bromine

Brominated disinfection by-products(Br-DBPs)can form during the chlorination of drinking water in treatment plants(DWTP).Regulations exist for a small subset of Br-DBPs;however,hundreds of unregulated Br-DBPs have been detected,and limited information exists on their occurrence,concentrations,and seasonal trends.Here,a data-independent precursor isolation and characteristic fragment(DIPIC-Frag)method were optimized to screen chlorinated waters for Br-DBPs.There were 553 Br-DBPs detected with m/z values ranging from 170.884 to 497.0278 and chromatographic retention times from 2.4 to 26.2 min.With MS2 information,structures for 40 of the 54 most abundant Br-DBPs were predicted.The method was then applied to a year-long study in which raw,clear well,and finished water were analyzed monthly.The 54 most abundant unregulated Br-DBPs were subjected to trend analysis.Br-DBPs with higher oxygen-to-carbon(O/C)and bromine-to-carbon(Br/C)ratios increased as water moved from the clear well to the finished stage,which indicated the dynamic formation of Br-DBPs.Monthly trends of unregulated Br-DBPs were compared to raw water parameters,such as natural organic matter,temperature,and total bromine,but no correlations were observed.It was found that total concentrations of bromine(TBr)in finished water(0.04–0.12 mg/L)were consistently and significantly greater than in raw water(0.013–0.038 mg/L,P<0.001),suggesting the introduction of bromine during the disinfection process.Concentrations of TBr in treatment units,rather than raw water,were significantly correlated to 34 of the Br-DBPs atα?0.05.This study provides the first evidence that monthly trends of unregulated Br-DBPs can be associated with the concentration of TBr in treated waters.