Lecture: The Geology of Bottled Water
Speaker:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £5.00
Date and Time
19:30 -
Location
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
Lecture Description
Most bottled water is marketed in the UK as either “Natural Mineral Water” or “Spring Water”. To comply with EU legislation such waters must be from an underground source; in other words they are groundwaters.
The ultimate source of most groundwater is rain and snow melt. This rapidly dissolves CO2 as it infiltrates through the soil, forming a weak acid which is very effective in dissolving rock minerals. The final composition of groundwater arises through a complex interaction of factors. However, certain geochemical characteristics such as the Mg/Ca ratio will be determined by the host rock, other constituents such as Cl may be dominated by atmospheric inputs and others such as SO4, NO3 and K may be influenced more by man’s activities. An understanding of these factors enables the hydrogeologist to unravel the geochemistry of a groundwater.
These processes will be illustrated by reference to common bottled waters which can be bought in any supermarket.
Attending via Zoom
This is a hybrid meeting: you can attend in person or join online via Zoom.
Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.
Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).
How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.
For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].