ABSTRACT
Introduction: In the Upper Benue Trough of Nigeria near Numan is a thermal spring flowing to the surface under natural conditions. Geologically, it is believed that this water passes through the Continental Bima Sandstones of the Albian, the transitional to marine Yolde Formation of the Cenomanian, and eventually through the continental Gombe Sandstones of Maastrichtian age, thus deriving their unique chemistry. Bottled mineral waters have been served in several parts of the world as a dietary water. They are a common source of essential micro and macro nutrients, needed by the human body. Materials: A sample of the thermal spring water was taken and analysed using the following techniques- electrometric method to determine electrical conductivity, pH value, iodide and fluoride content, the spectrophotometric method for the determination of ammonium, iron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, bromate, and sulphate content, the flame photometric method for the determination of sodium, and potassium content, and finally the complexometric titration to determine calcium, and magnesium, the argentometric titration to determinate chloride, while the acidimetric titration was used in the determination of hydrocarbonate. Results: The following results were generated from the analyses done; temp 44.2°C, pH 7.38, mineralisation 442.63mg/l, Ca2+ 9.62, SO42- <1.00, NH4+ <0.05, Na+ 93.34, K+ 10.00, Mg2+ 2.43, Fe2+3+ <0.01, Mn2+ <0.01, F- 0.69, Cl- 20.20, Br- <0.05, J- <0.02, HCO3- 273.80, NO2- <0.02, NO3, <0.88, HB2- <0.05, H2SiO3 32.55, Total Hardness (mg/cm3, CaCO3) 32. Comparing these with the results of two bottled mineral water from Poland, namely: Jurajska, Ca2+ 66.1, SO42- 40.5, Na+ 10.0, K+ 2.2, Mg2+ 32.8, F- 0.4, Cl- 7.8, HCO3- 329.9 and Polaris, Ca2+ 102.2, Na+ 11.25, K+ 2.34, Mg2+ 16.0, F- 0.23, Cl- 2.50, HCO3- 432.7. Conclusion: One can conclude that the Ruwan Zafi- Numan is possibly a good source of dietary water which if exploited will improve the health needs of its consumers as well as boost national GDP.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Two springs namely Bitrus (flowing borehole) and Ruwan Zafi, both in Awe - North Central Nigeria were sampled and analysed for elements of pharmacodynamic significance. Methods: The electrometric method was used to determine electrical conductivity, pH value, iodide and fluoride content. The spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of ammonium, iron, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, silicate, bromate, and sulphate content. Furthermore, the flame photometric method was used for the determination of sodium, and potassium content. Finally, the complexometric titration was used to determine calcium, and magnesium, the argentometric titration to determine chloride, while the acidimetric titration was used in the determination of hydrocarbonate. Result: Their rich mineral endowment is easily traced to their ancient marine source in the Cretaceous. These waters interact with host-beds of shale, silt, sandstone, which are sometimes calcareous on their way up under natural artesian conditions. With average temperature of 40 degree Centigrade, they make for invaluable balnear resources. Both springs have mineralization greater than 1000 mg/l and as such qualify as mineral/medicinal waters. Conclusion: Due to their Isotonic nature and moderate mineralization, they are suitable for use in drinking cure as their chemistry compares favourably with that of a well-known spring water in Poland used for the same purpose-Inowroclaw(mineralization 0.29%).