University of Nueva Caceres

School of Graduate Studies

City of Naga

Jerome Earl A. Amaranto ES 203 September 26, 2015

MS Environmental Science Environmental Biochemistry
Characterization of Fresh Water in Panicuason Hot Spring
Introduction

B
alneology or balneotherapy is the scientific study of the therapeutic benefits of naturally
occurring mineral waters. In the Philippines, this science is not very well known, and is
even less seldom practiced. However, throughout Europe and Japan, balneology and hot
springs therapy is very much a part of routine medical care. Medical prescriptions are given by
licensed doctors for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, and bathing in mineral waters as
a part of preventative medicine is widely recognized and encouraged. Balneotherapy may involve
hot or cold water, massage through moving water, relaxation, or stimulation. Many mineral waters
are rich in particular minerals such as silica, sulfur, selenium, and radium. Scientific studies into
the effectiveness of balneotherapy tend to be neutral or positive, finding that balneotherapy
provides no effect or a placebo effect, or that there is a positive effect. However, many of these
studies have methodological flaws, and so may not be entirely reliable (“The benefits of bathing”,
n.d.).
Panicuason Hot Spring Resort lies on the foot of Mount Isarog in Camarines Sur. Because
of its close proximity to the inactive volcano, it is most likely that its spring is produced by the
emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that rises from the earth’s crust. Panicuason hot
spring claims to be a sulfuric hot spring that imparts the following health benefits: (1) Relief of
arthritis pain, shoulder, neck and wrist pain, rheumatism, muscle and joint pains, and fatigue; (2)
Treatment of skin diseases, including psoriasis, dermatitis, and fungal infection, treatment of red
itchy discomfort of eczema, dry scalp, wounds, acne, and other skin injuries; (3) Treatment of
respiratory problems, such as allergic asthma, bronchitis, colds, tuberculosis, etc.; (4) Help
gynecological problem such as premenstrual syndrome and menopausal discomforts; (5) Aids in
digestive disorders, especially acid reflux, indigestion made worse by milk, chronic diarrhea, and
vomiting in the morning; (6) Health benefits such as increasing body temperature thus: killing
harmful germs and viruses; eliminating toxins from the body; increasing blood flow and
circulation; increasing metabolism and absorption of essential minerals; lower cholesterol and
blood pressure; (7) For beauty and wellness: helps the skin to be elastic, young looking, and
wrinkle-free; gives a relaxing, soothing effect on muscles and the mind rejuvenates; revitalizes
and gets you back to nature; make you feel healthier, happier and renewed.
While some of the health benefits claimed by the hot spring resort have scientific basis,
such as sulfur is known to treat skin diseases of biotic origin, more scientific research have to be
conducted on the majority of the claims.
The resort had four pools that are about 4-feet deep, and a running stream. The pool
temperatures posted on the facility were 29°C, 32°C, 35°C, and 39°C, respectively. The river
stream temperature is similar to the 29°C pool. In this short study, water samples were taken from
different pools, including an adjacent river stream for quick characterization and empirical
analysis.
Methodology
For simple characterization of hot spring water, samples taken from the 29°C river stream,
and from the 32°C, 35°C, and 39°C swimming pools were analyzed for salinity and pH.
250-mL water samples were collected on September 13, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. from the
identified location and stored in a clean, transparent polybag and were transported to the
General Chemistry Instrumentation Room at the Bicol University College of
Agriculture and Forestry. The samples were analyzed on September 14, 2015 at 10:45
a.m. Four water samples were transferred into a 250-mL glass beaker that was labelled
Beaker 1~4 for each sample.
The first analysis undertaken was to determine the water salinity using
Salinometer instrument No. 14056 made in Japan. The salinometer was rinsed with
distilled water before analyzing each water sample and dried with a tissue paper. Two
drops of water sample from Beaker 1 was placed on the analyte window and % salinity
was read out from the eye piece for 3 replicates. The same procedure
was done for Beakers 2~4. The instrument was rinsed with distilled water and
dried with tissue paper and stored.
After determining the % salinity of the samples, the pH of each sample were
analyzed. Pocket-sized pH 600 pH meter by Milwaukee,
made in USA was used for the analysis. The pH meter was
first calibrated by dipping the instrument into a 7.0 pH
buffer solution manufactured by Ajax Finechem Pty. Ltd.
The pH meter was then immersed into Beaker 1 for
approximately 2 minutes and the pH reading was recorded
and the probe was lightly wiped with tissue paper. The same procedure from
calibration to pH reading was repeated for Beakers 2~4. The pH meter was
rinsed with distilled water, lightly dried with tissue paper and stored.
Findings
Salinity is caused by the dissolved Na +, K+, Water Sample
Ca , and/or Mg+2 ions. Table 1 shows that the %
+2 % Salinity pH
Source
salinity of water samples from the 32°C-, 35°C-, and
32°C-pool 0% 7.5
39°C-pool, and water sample taken from the flowing
stream are all 0%. 35°C-pool 0% 7.5
39°C-pool 0% 7.5
The pH of a substance is a measure of the
Flowing stream 0% 7.1
presence of the H+ ions (acidity) or the OH–
(alkalinity), the higher the concentration of H+ ions, Table 1. Salinity & pH of water sample

the lower the pH value; the higher the concentration of OH–, the higher the pH value. Table 1
shows the measured pH of water samples taken from 32°C-, 35°C-, and 39°C-pool is 7.5 while the
pH of the stream water sample is 7.1.

Characterization of Panicuason Hot Spring Jerome Earl A. Amaranto

University of Nueva Caceres Environmental Biochemistry
Naga City Page 2 of 3
Conclusion
Although it would seem that the salinity of water in the pool is at 0%, further confirmation
by pH reading indicates presence of minute alkaline ions. The salinometer is not an effective tool
in detecting trace amounts of salts as its precision is parts per hundred (or percent). It is also
noticeable that the stream water have an almost neutral pH, indicating that the water in the pools
come from a different source.
With regards to the health benefit claims to bathing in a hot spring, the elevated temperature
allows blood vessels to dilate, promoting good circulation of blood thus keeping cells oxygenated
for proper cellular functioning. The effect then manifests as a feeling of relief. Furthermore, hot
spring water, especially from volcanic origin contains sulfur. Current research has revealed that
sulfur is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties (Kim, Kubec & Musah, 2005; Weld
& Gunther, 1947). Although the health benefit claims have scientific basis, it would be prudent to
conduct a correlation study on its effectiveness is recommended.

References
“The benefits of bathing”. Retrieved from http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/bathing/the-
benefits-of-bathing-balneology (n.d.)
“Balneotherapy”. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balneotherapy (2015)
Seokwon Kim, Roman Kubec, and Rabi A. Musah. “Antibacterial and antifungal activity of sulfur-
containing compounds from Petiveria alliacea L.”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 104, 188-192.
Elsevier. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.072 (2005)
Julia T. Weld and Anne Gunther. “The Antibacterial Properties of Sulfur”. Journal of
Experimental Medicine 85, 5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2135706/. The
Rockefeller University Press. (1947)

Characterization of Panicuason Hot Spring Jerome Earl A. Amaranto

University of Nueva Caceres Environmental Biochemistry
Naga City Page 3 of 3