Major inorganic anions and cations in selected European bottled waters

• Published in: Journal of geochemical exploration 2019-02, Vol.197, p.27-36
• Main Authors: Kończyk, Joanna, Muntean, Edward, Gega, Jerzy, Frymus, Aleksandra, Michalski, Rajmund
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anions; Bottled water; Cations; Food safety; Ion chromatography
• ISSN: 0375-6742; 1879-1689
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2018.11.006

Bottled waters, commonly called mineral waters, are important sources of minerals for the human organism. This article presents the results of the research onto the content of major inorganic anions (F−, Cl−, NO2−, Br−, NO3−, PO43−, SO42−) and cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in 88 brands of bottled waters commercially available in four European countries (Poland, Romania, Italy and Netherlands). The reported data were obtained using a validated ion chromatographic method. A comparative and chemometric evaluation of the obtained results was carried out, highlighting in many cases significant differences between the values declared by the producers and the obtained results; possible reasons of this situation are discussed. •Bottled waters are important sources of minerals for the human organism•The paper focuses on the content of major inorganic anions and cations in 88 brands of bottled waters available on European markets•Ion chromatography provides a high accuracy, repeatability, recovery and robustness•Possible differences in waters' composition, between the declared and the determined content have been discussed