BACKGROUNDThe groundwater in Xingguo County is rich in metasilicic acid, but the research on the endowment characteristics and genetic mechanism of mineral water resources is relatively weak, which restricts the development of the mineral water industry in Xingguo County to some extent. Research on the chemical characteristics and health functions of metasilicate mineral water in the county provides basic support for the development of the local mineral water industry and the implementation of a revitalization strategy.

OBJECTIVESTo summarize the distribution characteristics of metasilicate mineral water in Xingguo County and evaluate its health function.

METHODSMathematical statistics, water chemistry analysis, ion ratio and other analytical methods were used to study the distribution, water chemistry characteristics, genesis and material sources of potential metasilicate mineral water in Xingguo County, and its health function based on sensory index and health index was evaluated.

RESULTSPotential metasilicate mineral water was mainly distributed in the area below 400m above sea level, and it was distributed primarily in a magmatic rock fissure water-bearing rock formation, a clastic rock pore fissure water-bearing rock formation and a metamorphic rock fissure water-bearing rock formation. In the investigated water samples of these three types of water-bearing rock formations, the proportion of potential metasilicate mineral water was 48.5%, 45.7% and 29.6%, respectively. The metasilicic acid content of potential metasilicate mineral water was mostly between 32 and 40mg/L, mainly from the hydrolysis of silicate minerals. The enrichment of metasilicic acid was caused by solution filtration in the metamorphic rock and magmatic rock fracture water-bearing formation area, and was jointly affected by solution filtration and cation alternating adsorption in the clastic rock pore fracture water-bearing formation area. The potential metasilicate mineral water in the magmatic rock fracture water-bearing group area had the best taste, and the deep clastic rock pore water bearing group area had a relatively high health index.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study suggest that the target area of mineral water exploration and development in Xingguo County should be in magmatic rock fissure water-bearing rock formation areas and deep clastic rock pore fissure water-bearing rock formation areas. The research results provide reference for revealing the value and function of metasilicate mineral water resources in Xingguo County.