ORGANIC MATTER IN THE THERMAL WATER OF BELOKURIKHA
V.A. Poturay1, V.N. Kompanichenko1, A.A. Redin2
1Institute for Complex Analysis of Regional Problems, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Birobidzhan,Russia
2Hydrogeological service of JSC "Belokurikha Resort", Belokurikha, Russia
Keywords: organic matter, thermal waters, genesis, bacterial activity, hydrocarbons
Abstract
The present study is aimed at the determination of organic compounds in thermal waters of the Belokurikha deposit (Altai Territory), which is important both for balneology and regional ecology. The TOC concentration ranges from 0.42 to 0.55 mg/L. Using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and solid phase extraction, 69 organic compounds were identified, forming 16 homologous series. Normal and iso-alkanes (25 %), as well as carboxylic acids and their esters (24 %) and aromatic hydrocarbons (14 %) dominate in thermal waters. The molecular weight distribution of the limiting hydrocarbons (odd/even1.3–1.5, ACL 16.6–17.5) and the presence of characteristic compounds indicate that the organic matter in the waters studied is of autochthonous, predominantly bacterial origin. A number of identified constituents may indicate a low level of anthropogenic contamination of the waters investigated (phthalates and compounds containing a tert-butyl group and chlorine). Oxygen-containing compounds may have therapeutic effects on the human body. The comparative analysis with Far Eastern hot springs showed both great similarities in the distribution of organic compounds and differences due to the contribution of plant detritus to the formation of the organic component of Far Eastern thermal waters.
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