General ground water geochemistry of Hellas using bottled water samples

Sixty-one still bottled water samples, representing 41 locations, were collected from Hellas for the purpose of studying the geochemistry of ground water. Since, the dominating lithology comprises limestone, dolomitic limestone, marble, and mafic–ultramafic rocks (ophiolites), the dominant major ions in Hellenic bottled waters are Ca2+, Mg2+, CO32− and HCO3−, and are, thus, classified in the Ca2+–Mg2+–HCO3− hydrochemical facies. The source aquifers of Hellenic bottled water are apparently continuously replenished by fresh water. Comparison of values of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, SO42−, pH and electrical conductivity, displayed on bottle labels with those of this study, has shown that there is a fairly good correlation between the two data sets, suggesting that the geochemistry of source aquifers is relatively stable over time, at least from 1998 to 2008.

Research Highlights► Sixty-one still bottled water samples, representing 41 locations, were collected from Hellas for the purpose of studying the geochemistry of ground water. ► For the interpretation of the chemical composition of bottled waters, the lithology and mineralisation of the geotectonic zones of Hellas are described. ► Since, the dominating lithology comprises limestone, dolomitic limestone, marble, and mafic-ultramafic rocks (ophiolites), the dominant major ions in Hellenic bottled waters are Ca2+, Mg2+, CO32- and HCO3-, and, thus, the source ground waters are classified in the Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3- hydrochemical facies. ► Concentration ratios of cations and anions are used to describe relationships to (a) aquifer host rocks, or (b) lithologies through which the water passes, or (c) degree of replenishment of ground water, etc. ► TDS, alkalinity and the ratios of (Ca2++Mg2+)/(K++Na+) and Na+/K+ suggest that the source aquifers of Hellenic bottled water are shallow, and continuously replenished by fresh water. ► Comparison of values of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, pH and electrical conductivity, displayed on bottle labels with those of this study, has shown that there is a fairly good correlation between the two data sets, suggesting that the geochemistry of source aquifers is relatively stable over time, at least from 1998 to 2008.