GOLIÁŠ V., HRUŠKOVÁ L., PRZYLIBSKI T., LIPANSKÝ T. & ČERNÍK T. 2013: Radioactive springs of the Krkonoše Mts and Jizera Mts as geological phenomena, healing sources and tourist attractions. Opera Corcontica 50/S: 135–142.
Radioactive springs of the Krkonoše Mts and Jizera Mts as geological phenomena, healing sources and tourist attractions Radioaktivní prameny Krkonoš a Jizerských hor jako geologické fenomény, léčivé zdroje a turistické atrakce VIKTOR GOLIÁŠ1, LENKA HRUŠKOVÁ1, TADEUSZ A. PRZYLIBSKI2, TOMÁŠ LIPANSKÝ1 & TOMÁŠ ČERNÍK1 1 Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, CZ,
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected] 2 Wrocław University of Technology, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, PL,
[email protected]
Abstract Many previously unknown radioactive medicinal springs in the Czech and Polish mountain areas were discovered in the years 2005 –2013. Intensive research work continues in some prime locations, carried out mainly as a continuing cooperation between the Prague and Wrocław sister institutions. Some of the best sources have already started to be frequently visited by the public and used for their healing properties. Keywords: radon, radioactivity, groundwaters, mineral waters, curative sources, tourism
Abstrakt: V letech 2005 –2013 byl objeven v českých a polských horských oblastech větší počet dříve neznámých pramenů radioaktivních minerálních vod. Intenzivní výzkumné práce na těchto lokalitách jsou výsledkem pokračující spolupráce sesterských institucí v Praze a Wrocławi. Některé z nejlepších zdrojů začaly být díky svým léčivým vlastnostem již hojně navštěvovány a využívány veřejností. Klíčová slova: radon, radioaktivita, podzemní vody, minerální vody, léčivé zdroje, turistika
Introduction Radon therapy has a long history. High-level radioactive water sources were used by the Greeks on the Italian island of Ischia 2,500 years ago. At that time no one knew what radioactivity was and the cause of the positive effects was a mystery. This enigma was uncovered after the discovery of radon in 1900 by Friedrich Ernst Dorn, who suggested the methodology for measuring its presence in the water. The first targeted therapeutic medical treatment was implemented in 1906 in Jáchymov. It is interesting that between 1910 and 1940 in Europe, radioactive therapy became very fashionable. People used Ra-containing “emanators” for producing radon drinking water. Radium was added to many ‘healthy food’ items such as crackers, tea, coffee, chocolate, detergents and cosmetics etc.
Mineral waters are the great natural wealth of the Czech Republic. Besides thermal spas, this water with dissolved minerals and CO2 is a source of the radioactive medicinal water. Santholzer performed systematic measurement of radioactive sources in the Krkonoše Mountains from 1932 and also Dr. Alois Wagner, a high school teacher from Bohosudov, from 1942. The best-known radioactive mineral water in the Czech Republic is from Jáchymov. The radon content in the individual springs is from 5 to 20 kBq/l. The most important spring Běhounek has the activity of about 10 kBq/l (HYNIE 1963, KRÁSNÝ et al. 2012). Other sources of radon water occur in Teplice. Formerly, this spa was equivalent to the Karlovy Vary spa. However, in 1879 a catastrophic breakthrough in the Döllinger Mine dramatically influenced the Teplice thermal springs. Most Teplice sources are not radioactive. The only radioactive
136
OPERA CORCONTICA 50/S 2013
spring is the Horský Spring and springs in the vicinity. High radioactivity was found in exploratory wells near the Horský Spring: TH-40 (8.6 kBq / l) and TH-35 (10.6 kBq / l) (ČADEK et al. 1968, HOMOLA 1974). Other well-known locations are, for example, Skalná near Cheb or Černá Studnice in the Jizera Mountains (KRÁSNÝ et al. 2012).
Exploration of radioactive springs in the Krkonoše Mts and Jizera Mts Many groundwater springs are more or less radioactive. This radioactivity is caused mainly by the presence of dissolved radon isotopes and their short-lived daughter products. The radioactivity of mineral water predominantly depends on the content of radioactive elements (U, Th) in the surrounding rocks and
their favourable tectonic disintegration (WOOD et al. 2004) or weathering changes in shallow aquifers (i.e. PRZYLIBSKI 2011). Some groundwaters with elevated radioactivity were discovered historically (SANTHOLZER 1932, WAGNER 1942) in the Sudetian block. More than 40 previously unknown radioactive medicinal springs in the Czech and Polish mountain areas were discovered using radiohydrogeochemical mapping methods in the years 2005–2013 (Fig. 1). The main exploration work was realized near Janské Lázně (GOLIÁŠ 2007), Kowary – Horní Malá Úpa (GOLIÁŠ et al. 2010), Lázně Libverda – Świeradów Zdrój (HRUŠKOVÁ 2013); at present we are working in the Chrastava – Bogatynia area (ČERNÍK 2014, in prep.). Up-to-date data are published in a modern compendium (KRÁSNÝ et al. 2012) Field research work was carried out mainly as a cooperation between the Prague and Wrocław sister institutions. The exploration campaigns were
Fig. 1. Simplified geological map of the Krkonoše-Jizera crystalline with the radioactive medicinal sprigs depicted. The base map adapted from geological map 1:500,000 on www.geology.cz GIS server. Obr. 1. Zjednodušená geologická mapa krkonošsko-jizerského krystalinika s vyznačením pramenů radioaktivních minerálních vod. Podkladová mapa upravena z geologické mapy 1: 500 000 na GIS serveru www.geology.cz.
GOLIÁŠ et al.: RADIOACTIVE SPRINGS OF THE KRKONOŠE AND JIZERA MTS
137
Tab. 1. The top 8 radioactive medicinal springs in the Krkonoše and Jizera mountains and their basic characteristics. The extreme values are in bold. Tab. 1. Základní charakteristiky osmi nejlepších pramenů radioaktivních minerálních vod v Krkonoších a Jizerských horách. Extrémní hodnoty zvýrazněny tučně. Location WGS 84 No. Spring name Locality
N
E
Altitude [m]
Activity [Bq/l] 222 Rn
Outflow [l/min]
TDS [mg/l]
Chemical type
Ca-Mg-HCO3-SO4
1
St. Vojtěch
Horní Malá Úpa
50°44.070‘
15°48.021‘
980
up to 5253
Σ 9.5–114
55-96
2
Haida
Horní Malá Úpa
50°44.019‘
15°48.314‘
977
2872 – 3107
23-74
90.1
Ca-Mg-HCO3
3
Lopuchový
Janské Lázně
50°39.289‘
15°45.647‘
1023
2713 – 3016
3.6
8.7*
Ca-HCO3-SO4
4
Bukový
Janské Lázně
50°38.891‘
15°46.183‘
887
3760 – 5186
2.5
51.2
Ca-HCO3-SO4
5
Rafael
Nové Město p. Smrkem
50°55.813‘
15°14.970‘
520
2889 – 3405
9.6–12.9
101.5
Ca-Mg-SO4-HCO3
6
Michael
Nové Město p. Smrkem
50°55.837‘
15°14.891‘
510
5232 – 6215
0.31–0.35
126.4
Ca-SO4-HCO3
7
Samuel
Nové Město p. Smrkem
50°55.816‘
15°14.958‘
515
1962 – 2834
0.6
101.8
Ca-Al-SO4-HCO3
8
Soumar
Alberechtice u Fr.
50°52.124‘
15°02.282‘
515
1652 – 1780
1.3
1528
Na-Ca-Cl
*) NaCl equivalent
attended by a large number of Czech and Polish students and other voluntary supporters who measured the activity of more than 700 water sources or helped us with the exploration work in the field.
Radioactive springs as a geological phenomenon The region of the Krkonoše and Jizera Mts is known for many remarkable geological phenomena. Springs of radioactive medicinal groundwater belong to the most mysterious ones: The Krkonoše, Kowary and Jizera orthogneiss is the principal source rock; granites seem to be less fertile (especially the Tanvald and Krkonoše granite types). Those rocks provide radioactive elements for the formation of uranium deposits and many small uranium occurrences in the Variscan orogenic cycle (VESELÝ 1982, MOCHNACKA & BANAŚ 2000). The yield of radioactive elements from these rocks is newly occurring in the form of radioactive springs.
Radioactive springs are fault-controlled hydrogeological objects. This was confirmed by an extensive geophysical survey (resistivity profiling, very-low frequention method) on the St. Vojtěch (No.1 in Tab. 1) Spring (GOLIÁŠ et al. 2010) (Fig. 2.) and also in case of Andělské Springs (5–7) (HRUŠKOVÁ 2013). The water is predominantly low-mineralized (TDS < 100 mg/l). Radon (222Rn) is the only major component. A great exception is the Soumar Spring (8) in Albrechtice near Frýdlant, which contains about 1.5 g/l TDS (Na-Ca-Cl type of water) (Tab. 1). The activation source is mostly unknown. On site there are only radioactive water outflows unaccompanied by detectable uranium or radium (226Ra) mineralization, which is hidden somewhere in the underground. The literature mentions the role of aquifer surfaces coated with hydrated Fe- or Mn-oxides, which have a huge affinity to radium (226Ra) sorption (GAINON et al. 2007). Another situation was found in case of the source Sv. Vojtěch (1). Here the water is in direct contact with the primary uranium mineralization in a mighty fault filling (GOLIÁŠ et al. 2010). Intensive research work continues on this site.
138
OPERA CORCONTICA 50/S 2013
Fig. 2. The St. Vojtěch Spring (1) consists of 11 single outflows. The fault zone was established geophysically (modified from GOLIÁŠ et al. 2010). Obr. 2. Pramen Sv. Vojtěcha (1) se skládá z 11 jednotlivých vývěrů. Zlomová linie byla potvrzena geofyzikálně (upraveno podle GOLIÁŠ et al. 2010).
GOLIÁŠ et al.: RADIOACTIVE SPRINGS OF THE KRKONOŠE AND JIZERA MTS
Fig. 3. Radon bath in the Świeradów-Zdrój spa operating since 1932. Obr. 3. Radonové koupele v lázních Śvieradów-Zdrój fungují od roku 1932.
139
Fig 4. The most popular Rafael Spring (5) near Nové Město p. Smrkem. Obr. 4. Nejoblíbenější pramen Rafael (5) u Nového Města p. Smrkem.
Healing purposes On our planet there is not a place where the radioactivity is zero. Radioactivity creates our environment; in the remote past radioactivity was even higher than at present. Consequently, the human body is adapted to a low dose of radiation which also helps. Radon water maximizes the physiological effect of all the mineral waters. The favourable effect of radon was clearly proven (DEETJEN et al. 2005). Experts disagree on the methodology of application of alpha radiation in radon therapy. Scientists and doctors are divided into two groups. One of them supposes that the contact with the skin, which contains structures whose slight damage brings the positive reaction, is sufficient for the ionizing radiation to have its effect so called Jáchymov School (DRASKÁ 2007). Application of radon by bath in the study area has long operated in Świeradów – Zdrój spa (Fig. 3). In this case application by the radon bath is suitable. The second group of the scientific community is convinced that for the effect of radiation, the radon must be dissolved in blood. Thus, suitable applications are drinking cures and inhalation. In the study area is a traditional Radon inhalatorium in Kowary – Podgorze. For a drinking cure, it is possible to visit many adjusted sources, such as Andělské springs
Fig. 5. The Bukový Spring (4) in Janské Lázně spa, Klauzový důl valley. In large quantities it is not suitable for kids! Obr. 5. Bukový pramen (4) v Janských Lázních – Klauzovém dole. Ve větších množstvích není vhodný pro děti!
(5–7) at Nové Město pod Smrkem (Fig. 4) or Bukový Spring (4) in Klauzový důl valley (Fig. 5). Baths cause an analgesic effect, another positive effect is strengthening the immune system of the body, treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, joint complications in metabolic diseases, etc. (ŠIMEK 2001).
140
OPERA CORCONTICA 50/S 2013
Tourist attraction The sites are very different in their accessibility in the mountain terrain. The best and most accessible of the springs were technically captured for collection and use of the radioactive mineral water for healing purposes. Local governments and the nearby spa organizations (Janské Lázně and Lázně Libverda) were informed. These medicinal resources were also promoted through articles in local newspapers and public lectures. Some of them already seem to have started to be frequently visited by the public, such as the natural bath at the St. Vojtěch Spring (1) in Horní Mala Úpa (Fig. 6) or the peloide bath Samuel (7) at Nové Město p. Smrkem (Fig. 7), where it is possible to combine the use of radioactive (Jáchymov) and cold (Priessnitz) therapy. Fig. 6. Some people seek out the extreme experiences. St. Vojtěch Spring (1) in Horní Malá Úpa, naturally radioactive foot-half-bath. (photo by Alena Vítová, 21st March 2013). Obr. 6. Někteří lidé vyhledávají extrémní zážitky. Pramen Sv. Vojtěcha (1) v Horní Malé Úpě, přírodní radioaktivní nožní pololázeň.
Basic information on the best accessible sources has been published on the www.estudanky.eu server. The website statistical analysis reveals that the most popular objects are generally: 1) near to settlements and 2) easily accessible by car. In the Krkonoše Mts the most popular spring is the Lopuchový Spring (3). The highest number of visitors by far, however, comes to the Rafael Spring (5) near Nové Město p. Smrkem (5). This spring is easily accessible by car, promoted on the site and recommended by doctors at the nearby Lázně Libverda spa.
Souhrn Příspěvek se zabývá poznatky z výzkumu a radio-hydrogeochemického mapování radioaktivních pramenů v Krkonoších a Jizerských horách, který probíhal v letech 2005 až 2013 ve spolupráci akademických pracovišť v Praze a Wrocławi. Poskytuje podrobné charakteristiky 8 nejlepších zdrojů a to v kontextu geologického složení obou pohoří, hydrochemických parametrů sledovaných pramenů, ale i z pohledu jejich léčebných účinků. Přítomnost radioaktivních pramenů v obou pohořích má pozitivní vliv i ve sféře cestovního ruchu (Janské lázně, Lázně Libverda).
Acknowledgements For the financial support we thank the following projects: MSM0021620855, GAČR 205/07/0522, MEB051016, MEB050812, GAUK 756213 and CZ-PL Forum of the MFA ČR. We also thank many people and organizations for their selfless help.
References Fig. 7. The naturally radioactive peloide bath Samuel (7) near Nové Město p. Smrkem. (Photo by Barbora Paterová) Obr. 7. Přírodní radioaktivní peloidní koupel Samuel (7) u Nového Města pod Smrkem.
ČADEK J., HAZDROVÁ M., KAČURA G., KRÁSNÝ J. & MALKOVSKÝ M. 1968: Hydrogeologie teplických a ústeckých term. In: Sbor. geol. věd, Hydrogeolog. inž. geol. 6: 7–208.
GOLIÁŠ et al.: RADIOACTIVE SPRINGS OF THE KRKONOŠE AND JIZERA MTS
ČERNÍK T. 2014: The springs of the radioactive medicinal groundwaters in the Chrastava – Bogatynia area. The diploma thesis, Ms., Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. (in prep.) DEETJEN P., FALKENBACH A., HARDER D., JÖCKEL H., KAUL A. & PHILIPSBORN H. V. 2005: Radon als Heilmittel. Terapeutische Wirksamkeit, biologischer Wirkungsmechanismus und vergleichende Risikobewertung. – Verlag Dr. Kovac. Hamburg. 111 pp. DRASKÁ L. 2007: Ovlivnění nemocí pohybového aparátu metodami jáchymovské balneoterapie. Bolest 1: 19–22. GAINON F., GOLDSCHNEIDER N. & SURBECK H. 2007: Conceptual model for the origin of high radon levels in spring waters – the example of the St. Placidus spring, Grisons, Swiss Alps. Swiss j. geosci 100: 251–262. GOLIÁŠ V. 2007: Vývěry léčivých radioaktivních vod v Janských Lázních – Těsném dole. In: ŠTURSA J. & KNAPIK R. (eds), Geoekologické problémy Krkonoš. Sborn. Mez. Věd. Konf., říjen 2006, Svoboda n. Úpou. Opera Corcontica 44/1: 161–169. GOLIÁŠ V., PRZYLIBSKI T. A., LIPANSKÝ T., DOHNAL J., MIŚTA W., NOWAKOWSKI R., TEJNECKÝ V., MOKRÁ Z.,VÁVROVÁ J., ŠIMON J. & JÁNĚ Z. 2010: Prameny radioaktivních minerálních vod na území Kowary – Horní Malá Úpa. In: Opera Corcontica, Vol. 47, Suppl. 1: 75–90. HOMOLA V. 1974: Radioaktivní vody teplického porfyru a svrchní křídy v okolí Teplic v Čechách a možnost jejich ohrožení snížením současné úrovně porfyrových vod. Ms. (Vys. šk. báň. Ostrava). HRUŠKOVÁ L. 2013. Prameny radioaktivních minerálních vod v oblasti Lázně LibverdaŚwieradów-Zdrój. Ms. (dipl. práce,Přírodovědecká fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Praha). HYNIE O. 1963: Hydrogeologie ČSSR II, Minerální vody. Českosl. Akademie věd Praha. 797 pp. KRÁSNÝ ET AL. 2012: Podzemní vody České republiky. ČGS Praha. 1144 pp. MOCHNACKA K. & BANAŚ M. 2000: Occurrence and genetic relationships of uranium and thorium mineralization in the Karkonosze Izera Block (the Sudety Mts, SW Poland). Annal Soc. Geol. Polon. 70, 2: 137–150.
141
PRZYLIBSKI T. A. 2011: Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1695 –1703. SANTHOLZER V. 1932: Výzkum radioaktivních pramenů v Krkonoších. – Rozpravy Č. Akad. II. tř. 42, 1: 1–16. ŠIMEK J. 2001: Jáchymovské radonové koupele. Lékarské listy, příloha Zdravotnických novin č.42. VESELÝ T. 1982: Malá uranová ložiska krystalinika Českého masivu. Geol. a Hydrometal. uranu 6: 3–46. WAGNER A. 1942: Radioaktivität der Quellen im Sudetenland. Firgenwald 13: 94–111. WOOD W. W., KRAEMER T. F. & SHAPIRO A. 2004: Radon (222Rn) in Ground Water of Fractured Rocks: A Diffusion/Ion Exchange Model. Ground Water 42, 4: 552–567.
