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Mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that produce water containing minerals, or other dissolved substances, that alter its taste or give it a purported therapeutic value. Salts, sulfur compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the spring water during its passage underground. Mineral water obtained from mineral springs has long been an important commercial proposition. Mineral spas are resorts that have developed around mineral springs, where (often wealthy) patrons would repair to “take the waters” — meaning that they would drink (see hydrotherapy and water cure) or bathe in (see balneotherapy) the mineral water. Historical mineral springs were often outfitted with elaborate stone-works — including artificial pools, retaining walls, colonnades and roofs — sometimes in the form of fanciful "Greek temples", gazebos or pagodas. Others were entirely enclosed within spring houses. ==Types== For many centuries, in Europe, North America and elsewhere, commercial proponents of mineral springs classified them according to the chemical composition of the water produced and according to the medicinal benefits supposedly accruing from each: *Lithia springs contained lithium salts. *Chalybeate springs contained salts of iron. *Alum springs contained alum. *Sulfur springs contained hydrogen sulfide gas (see also fumeroles). *Salt (saline) springs contained salts of calcium, magnesium or sodium. *Alkaline springs contained an alkali. *Calcic springs contained lime (calcium hydroxide). *Thermal (hot) springs could contain a high concentration of various minerals. *Soda springs contained carbon dioxide gas (soda water). *Radioactive springs contain traces of radioactive substances such as radium or uranium. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「mineral spring」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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