Balneological prospects in Iceland using geothermal resources

• Main Authors: Hrefna Kristmannsdóttir, Ólafur Grímur Björnsson
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: balneology; balneotheraphy; geothermal pools; classification of Icelandic geothermal water; Reykjavík; Hveragerði; Blue Lagoon; Seltjarnarnes; Stykkishólmur; Húsavík; Iceland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.574.9524; http://www.jardhitafelag.is/media/PDF/S03Paper055.pdf

Balneotheraphy has been practiced all over the world from early history. In Iceland bathing in geothermal pools was popular for recreation from early settlement some 1100 years ago. The Icelandic Sagas written in the thirteenth century report the use of geothermal bathing for balneotheraphy to ease rheumatic pain. In modern Iceland the Health and rehabilitation clinic in Hveragerði and the Blue lagoon spa by the Svartsengi power plant are the main balneological resorts. Further prospects to build several spas and health resorts appear to be very promising in Iceland. The geothermal waters are of varied chemical composition, there are ample resources of uncontaminated spring water and clean air as well as magnificient scenery. Further there is access to geothermal clay and precipitates as aid in balneotherapy treatment. The local food supplies are also very fresh and free for contamination and the health care system is of high quality. More research is needed as well as enforced market survey and enforcement of the service needed for the varying market targets. Classification of Icelandic geothermal water reveals that sulfide water, fluoride water and saline waters are commonly encountered. Iron rich water is rather rare and iodide water and radioactive water has not been found. Mineral water suitable for drinking is not uncommon. Saline geothermal water resources encountered at several localities in Iceland bear resemblance to that of famous Spa localites as Baden-Baden in Germany. Among those are Seltjarnarnes, a suburb of the capital city Reykjavík, the small towns Stykkishólmur and Húsavík as well as some localities in rural areas of the country.