Hydrochemical and radiometric evaluation of fresh and thermal waters from Araxá city (Minas Gerais, Brazil).

This paper reports the hydrochemistry and activity concentration of the natural radionuclides 238U, 234U, and 210Po for three compartments of the hydrological/hydrogeological system in Araxá city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: 1) mineral waters from the prominent springs Dona Beja (DBS) and Andrade Júnior (AJS), occurring at Barreiro area; 2) surface waters from Barreiro area and vicinity; and 3) rainwater. According to the Rule for Mineral Waters in Brazil (Register 7841) for temperature, the DBS water is cold (< 25 °C), while AJS is hypothermal (25-33 °C). The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) concentration of DBS is low (70 mg/L), but high in AJS (2898 mg/L). The hydrogeochemical facies corresponded to sodium-(bi)carbonate for AJS and sodium/potassium-bicarbonate for DBS. The hydrochemical differences of DBS and AJS waters reflect the distinct characteristics of their respective aquifer systems. The DBS classification for TDS is the same of the Barreiro basin surface waters (mean TDS = 102 mg/L). Such value is somewhat higher than that of the rainwater and surface waters used for human consumption at Araxá city (TDS < 50 mg/L). The dataset reported in this paper indicated that fluoride and barium exceeded the WHO limits proposed in 2011 for drinking water. Among the natural radionuclides analyzed here that offer potential hazards for the human health is 210Po, whose WHO's limiting value of 100 mBq/L in drinking water was exceeded in rainwater, thus, restricting the use of this resource as a possible supply of drinking water for the local community.

O termalismo no Brasil: história, ciência e memória entre 1839 e 1950 / Thermalism in Brazil: history, science and memory between 1839 and 1950

Objetivou-se narrar historicamente de que modo determinados eventos contribuíram para o início e o desenvolvimento das práticas termais no Brasil. Serão apresentadas algumas das primeiras e mais importantes etapas da constituição da história da hidrologia médica (e posterior crenologia) do final do século XIX até os anos de 1950 no território brasileiro. Ao longo do texto será possível compreender algumas formas específicas de apreensão de determinadas experiências humanas com a água termal que só foram possíveis graças aos conhecimentos científicos que se estabeleceram em cada período dessa história.(AU)

his study aimed to historically narrate how certain event shave contributed to the on set and development of thermal practices in Brazil. Some of the first the most important steps of the medical hydrology will be presented: from the constitution of hydrology (latercrenology) of the late 19th century to the 1950 sin Brazil. Throughout the text it will be possible to understand some specific forms of human experiences with thermal water that were only possible thanks to scientific knowledge settled in each period of that history.(AU)

Termas de Águas de Lindóia: uma visão contemporânea dos usuários sobre o balneário nos aspectos termal e turístico / Thermas of Águas de Lindóia: a contemporary vision of the users on the bathhouse in thermal and tourist aspects

Define-se termalismo como um procedimento natural de tratamento alternativo e ou complementar à medicina tradicional, que se utiliza das águas minerais para se atingir a cura. As estâncias termais por suas características terapêuticas e ambientais são lugares que vão de encontro à prática do termalismo, pois atende um conjunto de elementos fundamentais, como localização geográfica, rede hoteleira e balneária. Os encaminhamentos para os tratamentos termais deixaram de ser um procedimento médico para tornar-se ao longo da história um procedimento de relaxamento, descanso e de cura por demanda própria associada ao turismo. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer o perfil das pessoas e as razões pelas quais elas procuram o balneário de Águas de Lindóia. É um estudo de caráter qualitativo e participaram da pesquisa vinte e dois usuários do balneário, sendo que os critérios de inclusão foram homens e mulheres adultos frequentadores do balneário para utilização dos recursos termais oferecidos. Realizou-se uma entrevista semiestruturada no próprio balneário, após o usuário concordar e assinar o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido que foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Unicamp. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo na qual se estabeleceram quatro categorias temáticas: perfil sócio demográfico das pessoas que procuram o balneário de Águas de Lindóia como destino turístico, o uso dos tratamentos oferecidos pelo balneário e o significado das águas como recurso terapêutico. O usuário do balneário se caracteriza por ser em sua maioria do sexo feminino, com idade média de sessenta anos e aposentada que procuram nas técnicas termais o equilíbrio orgânico e mental. Constatou-se que Águas de Lindóia no transcorrer da sua história vem se constituindo em polo turístico voltado ao lazer centrado em sua localização geografia, nos recursos termais e na rede hoteleira. Observou-se a ausência de turistas mais jovens nas dependências do balneário, a partir desse panorama, percebe-se a necessidade de ampliar a divulgação dos recursos oferecidos pelo balneário e desenvolver condutas que respondam as exigências dos turistas nas diversas faixas etárias. Conclui-se que, a maioria dos participantes do estudo pratica o termalismo de bem estar que abrange a prevenção e promoção da saúde em detrimento ao uso do termalismo clássico oferecido pelo balneário no início de suas atividades, que era o uso das águas como terapia específica para determinada doença.(AU)

Thermalism is defined as a natural and alternative treatment procedure or complement to traditional medicine that is used with mineral water to achieve the cure. The spas for its therapeutic and environmental characteristics are places that meet the practice of thermalism, as it serves a number of key elements, such as geographic location, hotel chain and bathhouse. Referrals to thermal treatments are no longer a medical procedure to become throughout history a procedure for rest, relaxation and healing on their demand associated with tourism. In this sense, the objective of this study was to know the profile of the people and the reasons why they seek the Águas de Lindóia bathhouse. It is a qualitative study and participated in the survey twenty-two users of the bathhouse, and the inclusion criteria were adult men and women goers bathhouse to use thermal resources offered. We conducted a semi structured interview in the bathhouse itself, after the user agrees and signing the consent form that was approved by the Ethics Committee of UNICAMP. For data analysis we used the technique of content analysis in which it established four thematic categories: socio demographic profile of those seeking Águas de Lindóia bathhouse as a tourist destination, the use of the treatments offered by the bathhouse and the meaning of waters as a therapeutic resource. The user of the resort is characterized by being mostly female, with an average of sixty and retired seeking thermal techniques in the organic balance and mental. It was found that Águas de Lindóia the course of its history has turned into a tourist hub geared to leisure centers on its geography location, the thermal resources and hotel chain. Observed the absence of younger tourists premises of bathhouse, from this scenario we see the need to broaden the dissemination of resources offered by the bathhouse and develop behaviors that meet the needs of tourists of different ages. We conclude that the majority of study participants practicing thermalism wellness that covers prevention and health promotion over the use of classical thermalism offered by the bathhouse at the beginning of its activities, that was the use of water as a specific therapy for disease.(AU)

Amibas de vida libre potencialmente patógenas en aguas del parque “Las Cocuizas”, Maracay, Venezuela / Potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae present in “Las Cocuizas” park waters, Maracay, Venezuela

Se determinó la presencia de amibas de vida libre, y la calidad microbiológica de las aguas para la recreación del parque “Las Cocuizas” en Maracay, Venezuela, en 30 muestras de agua captadas en diferentes lugares dentro del parque. Se investigó la presencia de amibas de vida libre y otros parásitos mediante exámenes directo y por coloración. También se determinaron los recuentos de aerobios mesófilos, coliformes totales y fecales. Se observó la presencia de formas parasitarias en 15 del total de las 30 muestras; en 8 se visualizaron formas compatibles con Naegleria fowleri y en las 7 restantes otros parásitos. Del total de las muestras 37,0 % reveló un número más probable de coliformes fecales superior a 200/100 mL-1 y 33,3 % mostró contaminación fecal activa con Escherichia coli. Se evidenció que existe riesgo de contaminación por diversos microorganismos patógenos transmitidos por el agua y esto puede ser peligroso para los usuarios del parque.

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of free-living amoebae and the microbiological quality of the recreational waters of Cocuizas Park in Maracay, Venezuela. Thirty samples taken from different park sites were analyzed. The presence of free-living amoebae and other parasitic was detected by fresh mounts and specific parasitic stain slides. Mesophilic aerobic bacteria and total faecal Coliforms were also determined. Parasitic forms were observed in 15 of the 30 samples that were analyzed. Forms compatible with Naegleria fowleri were seen in eight of the samples; other parasites were observed in the remaining seven samples. 37% of the samples revealed faecal coliforms above 200/100 mL-1 and 33,3% showed an active Escherichia coli faecal contamination. These results show risk of human infection by several water-borne pathogenic microorganisms, which could be dangerous for users of the park.