Evaluation of climate, water and peloid of the Pink Lagoon of Torrevieja and its possible use in thalassotherapy

Abstract

The Pink Lagoon in Torrevieja is found in the Bajo Segura region of the province of Alicante (Spain). This exorheic lake of marine sedimentary origin was connected to the Mediterranean Sea up until Quaternary times. Today it acts as a salt flat, receiving water from its neighbouring Lagoon La Mata and brine from washing of the El Pinoso quarry. The purpose of the work is to study its environmental resources: the factors of the climate, the physicochemical properties and the composition of the waters, the thermal and textural characteristics of the natural peloid, and assess their possible use as thalassotherapeutic agents. The results obtained: marine climate; hypothermal water of strong mineralization (390 g/l), hypersaline, rich in magnesium sodium chloride and extremely hard; and lime muds of mineral sediment mainly organic with a low water content and scarce hardness and adhesiveness. They allow their application in thalassotherapy, obtaining the best results in musculoskeletal and skin disorders.