Geochemistry and therapeutic properties of Caucasian mineral waters: a review

The Caucasian mineral water (CMW) region is a unique area where mineral waters differ by their chemical composition and balneological properties. The presence of a wide range of mineral waters with various ions and gas components and different genesis and their therapeutic properties in the restricted area is explained by complicated geological and tectonic settings. The dominant type of mineral water in the CMW region is CO₂-bearing water with H₂SiO₃ and H₃BO₃ as the specific components. According to ion composition, gas phases' content into groundwater, total dissolved solids, and balneological characteristics, we would distinguish 9 groups and 16 types of these mineral waters, with each water type being of particular therapeutic interest. The CMW region includes four spa cities with a different therapeutic profile: Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, and Essentuki. Spa treatment is based on the use of different types of mineral waters, therapeutic muds within the region's diverse landscapes, and climatic conditions. Mineral waters are utilized in the form of baths, swimming pools, showers, various irrigations, inhalation, as well as drinking therapy. Therapeutic mineral waters are used to treat gastrointestinal problems, metabolic and nervous system disorders, as well as various diseases of liver, kidney, urinary tract, circulatory system, respiratory organs, and skin.