Characterization of Bottled Waters by Multielemental Analysis, Stable and Radiogenic Isotopes

• Published in: Water
• Main Authors: Tea Zuliani, Tjaša Kanduč, Rok Novak, Polona Vreča
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020
• Subjects: bottled waters; multielemental analysis; 87 Sr/ 86 Sr; δ 2 H; δ 18 O; δ 13 C DIC; Hydraulic engineering; TC1-978; Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes; TD201-500; Carbonic acid
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092454; https://doaj.org/article/f69dc83ee0604e14bf5ed829c0411c18

Multi-elemental (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, and Zn) and stable isotope (i.e., δ 2 H, δ 18 O, and δ 13 C DIC ) analyses were performed on 13 (8 Slovenian and 5 imported) bottled mineral and spring waters from the Slovenian market. In addition, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope ratios were determined for the first time. In all analyzed bottled waters, the majority of elements were present although in low concentrations, and according to EU legislation, all were suitable for human consumption. Also, concentrations of major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) were in general agreement with the values reported on the bottle labels, and any differences were the consequence of the natural variability of the water source used for bottling. The exception was one spring water, for which the source location changed, which was confirmed by the δ 2 H, δ 18 O, and δ 13 C DIC data. Two mineral waters had distinctive elemental compositions due to the particular geology of their recharge areas. The d 13 C DIC was also investigated to decipher the carbonate contribution in the bottled waters. The results suggest that dissolution of carbonates and non-equilibrium carbonate dissolution by carbonic acid produced from soil zone CO 2 are the predominant geochemical processes influencing the d 13 C DIC values of bottled water.