Mg, Mn, Fe, and V concentrations in the ground waters of Mount Etna (Sicily)

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) 1996, Vol.30 (2), p.378-386
• Main Authors: Giammanco, Salvatore, Valenza, Mariano, Pignato, Sarina, Giammanco, Giuseppe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: drinking water standards; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Geochemistry; ground water; health impact; hydrogeochemistry; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Mineralogy; Mount Etna; Silicates; trace elements; Water geochemistry
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/0043-1354(95)00183-2

Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, is the site of an important circulation of ground waters that as, a consequence of the peculiar geological, hydrogeological and petrological features of Etna volcanics, are enriched in certain chemical species (i.e. HCO − 3, Na +, Mg 2+, Ca 2+ and many trace elements). This is mainly due to the interaction between ground waters and volcanic gases, mainly CO 2, that are present in the underground atmosphere. CO 2 is dissolved into water thus making it very aggressive towards the host volcanic rocks so that cations are gradually brought into solution. Mg, Mn, Fe and V concentrations above the Maximum Admissible Concentrations (MACs) fixed by the European standards were found in most of the potable waters of Etna, especially in those from its eastern and western flanks, where the amount of CO 2 dissolved in the ground water is greatest. Therefore, about 700,000 people have used potable waters with Mg contents exceeding the European MACs, 90,000 have used those with Mn exceeding MACs, 63,000 have used those with Fe exceeding MACs and more than 600,000 have used waters with V above the EPA acceptability level. Considering that these elements are essential for humans and that Mg, Mn and Fe contents in Etna waters account for only a small percentage of their total dietary intake, it is unlikely that direct health consequences can derive from drinking such waters. As this problem can be present in all the geographical areas where waters are naturally enriched in dissolved minerals, a revision of current standards for drinking waters is desirable.