Basic Physical and Chemical Factors

Abstract

Water never exists in a chemically pure form in nature because it dissolves substances, transports them and then deposits some of them elsewhere. This leads not only to redistribution of substances in the groundwater conducting layers, but also to the formation of secondary rocks and possibly to the salinization of groundwater and soils. Here, the chemical composition of the water (and thus its quality) depends on its physical and physical-chemical properties. The understanding of such processes and of the respective water quality regimes enables conclusions to be drawn on the origin and the movement of the groundwater, the availability for industrial and domestic use, the environmental influences and options for the remediation of harmful impacts. On the other hand, the composition of some mineral and medicinal waters can give them therapeutic characteristics in health care.