Introduction:

The mineral-medicinal water studied comes from the Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña Thermal Complex, Chaco province, located in the northeast of Argentina. The waters of the tertiary aquifers of northern Argentina present a marked salinity gradient from the western sector (Jujuy subgroup) to the eastern sector (Chaco formation). Aquifers are dynamic processes and consequently, the composition of natural groundwater must be viewed from the perspective of its possible spatial-temporal variation.

Aims:

To analyse and to compare the chemical composition and microbiological quality of thermal water of the city of Sáenz Peña in the 2016-2018 period and to evaluate its main physicochemical characteristics that define its potential therapeutic applications.

Results:

Due to its temperature, the thermal water is classified as hypothermal water, with a pH close to neutrality, high conductivity, showing its direct relationship with high salinity. Its equivalent percentage defined as chlorinated water, with high content of the sulphate anion and the cations sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. According to the majority composition of chlorides, topical use is recommended for bone and muscle ailments, as well as dermatological and circulatory problems.