Role of hot springs’ hydrochemistry in Balneotherapy, Case Study: Fotoyeh and sanguyeh springs, western Hormozgan

Introduction: Hydrochemical properties of waters used in balneotherapy are very important, as they play a key role in success or failure of this kind of treatment. There are 30 mineral and hot spas in Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran, which are traditionally used for treating diseases. In this study, hydrochemical properties of Fotoyeh and Sanguyeh Springs, in western Hormozgan Province, are discussed and analyzed. Methods: The mentioned springs’ water was sampled four times during different seasons of 2012. Physicochemical factors including EC, pH, and temperature were measured using portable devices at the sampling point; whereas primary and secondary ions were measured using ICP, titration, atomic absorption spectroscopy and photoelectric flame photometer in laboratory. Radon concentration also was measured by Rad7, an active radon detector, at the sampling location. Results: Measurements showed that the average total of minerals in Fotoyeh and Sanguyeh springs is 5741 and 24037 mg/l and their mean electrical conductivities (EC) were 9626 and 42550 μs/cm, respectively. Sodium cations, chloride and sulfate anions are the most frequent primary ions of these springs. Concentration of some rare and secondary elements and heavy metals in the mentioned springs varies from 0.1 ppb to 10 ppb and radon concentration in Sanguyeh and Fotoyeh Springs was 76.51 and 159.98 kBq/m3, respectively. Conclusion: Water in Sanguyeh and Fotoyeh Springs is of sodium-chloride type with high concentration of sulfate for treating rheumatism, lymphatism, Rickets, gynecological diseases and localized swelling. Since concentration of some rare elements and heavy metals such as copper, plumb, and antimony is high in these springs, drinking, vaporing or injecting them in the framework of balneotherapy is not recommended. Likewise, regarding high radon concentration in the Fotoyeh Spring, frequent and long-term uses seem unhelpfu