Chemical Characterization of Carbonated Natural Mineral Waters Produced in Turkey: Compliance with European Water Quality Standards

Abstract

In this study, a total of 100 samples from 25 brands of carbonated natural mineral waters (CNMWs) produced in Turkey were analyzed for a total of 36 water quality constituents to determine their suitability for human consumption. Parameters examined include pH, electrical conductivity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, sulfite, orthophosphate, chloride, fluoride, bicarbonate, and 25 major/trace elements analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The presence of these constituents in this type of water was investigated considering recent concerns about their quality and the lack of trace element information on the manufacturer labels. The analytical results obtained in this study were compared to the European Union (EU) norms, labeled values on bottles, as well as values from the literature. Results of this study have shown that Turkish CNMWs may contain high concentrations of sulfite, which is a known allergen, especially for chronic asthmatic population. CNMWs surveyed in this study have also appreciable amounts of fluoride (>1.5mgL -1) that may have detrimental effects on health of children. The EU standards for As, Ba, Mn, and Ni were exceeded in seven CNMWs classified as "high mineral". Compared to similar type of bottled waters from Europe and North America, CNMWs from Turkey generally contained higher elemental concentrations. Carbonated natural mineral waters produced in Turkey were analyzed for several water quality constituents and the analytical results were compared to the EU norms as well as to values in the literature. All in all Turkish carbonated natural mineral waters generally contained higher elemental concentrations. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.