The Quality Stability Assessment of a Thermal Spring Used for Therapeutic Purposes

Abstract

Thermal waters have a global distribution and find extensive therapeutic use. In Morocco, which boasts more than twenty high-quality therapeutic thermal springs, few studies have focused on the quality of these waters. In this context, the present study evaluated the water quality using physicochemical, bacteriological, and radioactive parameters for BENKACHOUR thermal spring waters in Morocco. The results indicate that all chemicals, bacteriological, and radiological parameters are below the standards, except for global beta activity and temperature, which makes it hyperthermal, with an annual average temperature of 50.54 °C. Based on the Piper diagram, the water type is chloride-sodium-potassium. Based on these results, we conclude that thermalism in the Eastern region of Morocco, specifically BENKACHOUR in Oujda, can contribute to sustainable tourist development at the national and international levels due to the quality of the parameters analyzed and can be an effective complementary approach in the treatment of low-grade pathologies. The data from this study can serve as a baseline for assessing future changes and defining standards for the quality of hydrothermal baths and balneotherapy worldwide.

Keywords

• water quality
• balneotherapy
• thermal waters
• hydrothermal treatments