Hydrologic properties and origin of the sulfuric water of the Split Baths

Abstract

       The results are given of intensive investigations of the sulfuric water of the Split Baths in the course of 1952/53.

       Annual curves cover the fluctuations of temperature, chlorinity, H₂S content, and other reductive matter, as well as of oxygen found in the spring water. Comparative data are given on the amount of chlorides and on the temperature of the sea water in the port of Split which resulted from parallel examinations of conditions prevaling in the sea water.

       The results of analyses covering the SO₄ and total sulfur contents in the water of the Sulfuric Spring, and some other analyses are also published.

       It is evident from the data that the spring water is subject to marked fluctuations of all the investigated factors owing to superabundant precipi­tations occurring in some years. It results from the paper that the water of the Sulfuric Spring is normally composed of (a) sea water, which is deducted from the SO₄/Cl ratio of both the spring water and sea water, and from biological indications; (b) a sort of mineral water, containing, among others, a large amount of sulfates, which is deducted from the fact that the content of total sulfur is higher in the spring water than in the sea water. A third component (c), i. e. rain water, joins the other two under the influence of heavy rainfalls which occur periodically.

      The opinion is given in the attempt to explain the cause of both the normal occurence of H₂S in the water of the Sulfuric Spring and its disappearance for a short interval of time, noticed in some years.