What Dissolved Minerals Do Natural Waters Contain?
The minerals which water picks up from rocks consist chiefly of calcium carbonate (limestone); magnesium carbonate (dolomite); calcium sulphate (gypsum), magnesium sulphate (epsomsalts); silica (sand); sodium chloride (common salt); sodium sulphate (Glaubers salts); and small quantities of iron, manganese, fluorides, alumunium, and other substances. Wastes from mines and certain industrial processes make some surface waters very acin, while minerals in the earth make some ground waters very alkaline. Sometimes Nitrates are found in water and in many cases, this is associate with sewage contamination.
