Sustainable Utilization and Development of Geothermal Water

Dear Colleagues,

Geothermal waters constitute a specific category of groundwaters that are heated naturally beneath the Earth’s surface and are key carriers of thermal energy (heat) from the Earth’s crust. The significance of geothermal waters result from their use in two main areas that constitute important sectors of the economy in many European countries, namely (i) balneology, which relates to the most traditional use of mineral and thermal waters, namely the balneotherapy, health and wellness industry, and (ii) geothermics—the geothermal energy sector connected to the exploration and utilization of heat carried (produced) by geothermal water for direct use or electric power generation. The occurrence, origin, chemical and physical properties of geothermal waters are key factors in determining the methods and possibilities of their use and application in a given area. Today, in the era of the exploration of alternative, green and renewable energy resources, the role and significance of geothermal waters is rising, and much attention is being paid to the development of new methods of geothermal water exploration and research.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to show the most interesting and novel examples of recent developments in geothermics and geothermal water exploration, research and sustainable utilization. We intend to collect a series of high-quality papers presenting the wide scope of recent studies of geothermal waters, successful applications of novel research methods, innovative technologies for the use of geothermal waters and the climatic and socio-economic effects on the surrounding environment.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Adam Porowski
Dr. Beata Kępińska
Dr. Nina Rman
Dr. Mun-Ju Shin
Guest Editors

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• geothermal water
• hydrogeology
• groundwater resources
• mineral water
• chemical composition
• critical elements
• environmental isotopes
• climatic effects
• sustainable use
• renewable resources
• balneology