MINERAL WATERS IN RUPEA CITY: PHYSICOCHEMICAL FEATURES AND USE

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse and highlight certain specificities of mineral waters in Rupea city (Braşov County): physicochemical characteristics, a short history of their use, and future use options. The article is based on the synthesis and analysis of information obtained from scientific papers, archival sources, and field investigations conducted between 2010 and 2015. Rupea City is located in the area situated at the contact between the Transylvanian Subcarpathians the Hârtibaciului Plateau, at 64 km northwest of Braşov and 53 km southeast of Sighişoara. The presence of the salt layer in the Tortonian deposits (Miocene) at different depths and thickness accounts for the occurrence of concentrated chlorinated-sodic waters, discovered as early as the second half of the 19th century. The first analyses of the Rupea mineral waters were conducted by Henrik Muller (1856), who considered the mineral waters at Băile Cohalm (old name of the Rupea city) to be “among the few chlorinated-sodic-sulphated waters of Transylvania”. The measurements conducted on physico-geographical parameters in the study period and the analysis of water samples performed in specialized laboratories showed that these mineral waters preserved their physicochemical characteristics (chorosodic, sulphated, hypertonic, athermal) and, consequently, can be used for therapeutic purposes as was the case in the past. The pavilions of the old spa establishment “survived” until the year 2003 when they began to be gradually demolished, and the mineral water storage basins were consolidated and covered. The only one which is still currently being used (for household activities or sheepfold cheese processing) is the “muriatic” salt water from the well locals call “Slatina”, located 1.5 km east towards Homorod, in close proximity to Cozd River (ancient name of the Valea Mare River).

Keywords

• mineral waters
• physicochemical features
• use
• Rupea City