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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:04
Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation Mediated by Sporosarcina pasteurii
Published on: April 16, 2016
Calcite precipitates in Slovenian bottled waters
Tamara Ferjan Stanič1, Miloš Miler2, Mihael Brenčič2,3
1Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. tamara.ferjan@gmail.com.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|April 20, 2017
Summary
Storage conditions and bottled water composition significantly impact precipitate formation. Impurities like Mg2+ and SO42- influence crystal shape, while storage affects crystal size and number, leading to varied calcite morphologies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Bottled water storage conditions can alter its chemical properties.
- Changes in water chemistry can lead to the formation of precipitates with diverse morphologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bottled water composition, storage conditions, and the resulting precipitate morphology.
- To analyze how different ambient conditions affect the characteristics of Slovenian bottled water stored in PET bottles.
Main Methods:
- Chemical analysis of major ions and physical properties of bottled water before and after storage.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis of precipitates.
- Controlled storage of four brands of Slovenian bottled water under varying ambient conditions.
Main Results:
- Water impurities (Mg2+, SO42-, SiO2, Al, Mn, K+, Na+, Ba, Sr) inhibited crystal growth, forming elongated rhombohedral calcite with furrowed surfaces and rosettes.
- Storage conditions influenced the number of crystallization nuclei and the size of calcite crystals.
- Hollow calcite spheres formed under variable conditions via evaporation/precipitation or bubble templating.
Conclusions:
- Bottled water composition and storage environment are critical factors controlling precipitate formation and morphology.
- Understanding these factors is essential for managing water quality and predicting mineral precipitation in stored beverages.
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