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The microbiological and biochemical diversity of thermomineral waters of Vrnjačka Banja -the Jezero Spring (well VBJ-2/85) and Metković in Mačva District (well BMe-1) were analyzed for the first time in 2017. Six biological activity reaction tests (BART): IRB, SRB, HAB, DN, SLYM and FLOR were used simultaneously. The thermomineral waters are captured by the wells at a depth of 302 m and 627 m, respectively, from aquifers featuring different structural geological, petrographic-mineralogic, hydrogeological and other characteristics. The groundwater is stored and the aquifers renewed at pressure levels typical of the petrographic varieties of Paleozoic schists with marble lenses (Vrnjačka Banja) and Eocene sandstones (Metković). The magma activity and accompanying volcanic equivalents indicated elevated temperatures and CO2 concentrations of the thermomineral waters. Based on previously defined physico-chemical compositions, it was concluded that the studied occurrences are of the HCO3 --Na + basic ionic type, that they are hypothermal (Vrnjačka Banja -27.0°C) and hyperthermal (Metković -59.8°C), neutral (pH 7.0) and with a high mineral content (Vrnjačka Banja -2009 mg/L; Metković -1082 mg/L), as well as carbonated in Vrnjačka Banja (CO2 -1120.0 mg/L). Due to the specific features and importance of the selected occurrences of thermomineral waters, microbiological analyses were performed as well. Representatives of aerobic iron bacteria and anaerobic bacteria were detected at a low level of biochemical activity. Sulphate-reducing, heterotrophic, slime-forming, respiratory denitrifying and fluorescent Pseudomonas species were not detected. Daily observations of BART biodetector signatures and BART-Soft v-6 software indicated that the biocorrosion, biofouling and apparent health risks were low. However, periodic tests of the thermomineral waters for the target physiological group of bacteria and regular checks of sanitary and hygienic adequacy are recommended.

In 2017, the microbiological and biochemical diversity of saline healing water at Slankamen Banja was assessed for the presence of targeted physiological groups of bacteria, using a system of six biological activity reaction tests (BART): IRB, SRB, HAB, DN, SLYM and FLOR. The water samples originated from a karst-fractured aquifer, represented by petrographic varieties of Pliocene and Miocene litho-tamian, ceritic and sandy limestones, which discordantly overlie Anisian and Ladinian limestone and serpentinite. Prior to using the BART biodetectors for detailed observations, the physical and chemical composition of the saline healing water was defined, indicating that it is of the Na+- Cl- type, with a high mineral content. The water is also cold and low alkaline, exhibiting elevated concentrations of significant balneotherapeutic elements: Sr2+, J- and B3+. The detected biochemical activity of anaerobic fermentation bacteria and aerobic iron oxidants was high. It is 2,200 potentially active cells per ml of water, approximately by day of reaction. Sulphate-reducing bacteria of medium biochemical activity were also detected, while the presence of denitrifying and slime forming bacteria was characterized by low biochemical activity. BART-Soft v-6 software was used to assess the risk of biocorrosion and biofouling processes developing in well B-1 ('Slanjača'), as well as the potential health risk. The study indicates that the development of these processes is possible, that the health risk of using the saline mineral water for balneotherapy is minimal, and that the BART FLOR biodetector did not reveal any Pseudomonas (fluorescences and aeruginosa) bacteria, which cause waterborne diseases.

M70 M70 Sa namerom definisanja hidrogeološke uloge i značaja mikrobiološkog diverziteta odabranih pojava mineralnih voda Srbije, primenom sistema biodetektora, dokazano je prisustvo gvožđevitih, sulfato-redukujućih, sluz-produkujućih, heterotrofnih aerobnih i denitrifikacionih bakterija, na osnovu čega je proračunat rizik od razvoja procesa biokorozije i biohemijske inkrustacije, te zdravstveni rizik. Uz procenu rizika, izvedene su analize skenirajuće elektronske mikroskopije biofilmova i hidrogeohemijsko modeliranje, te makroskopska, otpička i difrakciona ispitivanja naslaga inkrustacije, dok je fizičko-hemijskim analizama utvrđena vrednost ukupne mineralizacije iznad 1 g/L, kao i povišeni sadržaji odgovarajućih metala i nemetala. Metabarkoding analizama mikrobioma mineralnih voda dokazano je prisustvo razdela Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Patescibacteria, Chlorflexi, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes i Acidobacteria u većem procentu. Pseudomonas, Limnobacter i Rheinheimera su bili najzastupljeniji rodovi u uzorku mineralnih voda Torde, Acinetobacter i Massilia u uzorku iz Obrenovačke Banje, Maritimimonas, Phreatobacter, Planktosalinus, Acinetobacter, Geminocystis i Sulfuritalea u uzorku iz Lomnice, Pseudorhodobacter i Limnohabitans u mineralnim vodama Velike Vrbnice, dok su u uzorku iz Slankamen Banje dominirale zelene sumporne bakterije, Methylotenera, Flavobacterium, Melioribacter i Dechloromonas. Realizovanim istraživanjima zaključeno je da odgovarajući predstavnici mikroorganizama utiču na starenje bunara i definišu ekološki status vodnih resursa, dok s druge strane pojedini rodovi poseduju biotehnološki potencijal u tretmanu remedijacije kontaminiranih voda, zbog čega postoji neophodnost implementacije biohidrogeologije u okviru standardne metodike hidrogeoloških istraživanja. The presence of iron related, sulphate reducing, slime producing, heterotrophic aerobic and denitrifying bacteria was proved applying biodetectors, in order to define the hydrogeological role and importance of the microbiological diversity of select occurrences of mineral waters in Serbia. Then the biocorrosion, biochemical encrustation and health risks were assessed. The research included scanning electron microscopy of biofilms, hydrogeochemical modelling and macroscopic, optical and diffraction examination of the encrustations. Physical and chemical analyses indicated total dissolved salts of more than 1 g/L and elevated concentrations of certain metals and non-metals. Metabarcoding of the microbiomes of the mineral waters revealed the presence of a high percentage of the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Patescibacteria, Chlorflexi, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes and Acidobacteria divisions. Pseudomonas, Limnobacter and Rheinheimera were the most representative genera in the mineral water sample from Torda, Acinetobacter and Massilia in the sample collected in Obrenovačka Banja, Maritimimonas, Phreatobacter, Planktosalinus, Acinetobacter, Geminocystis and Sulfuritalea in the sample from Lomnica, and Pseudorhodobacter and Limnohabitans in the sample from Velika Vrbnica, while in the sample from Slankamen Banja was dominated by green sulphur bacteria, Methylotenera, Flavobacterium, Melioribacter and Dechloromonas. The research concludes that the respective microorganisms cause water well aging and define the ecological status of the water resources, while, on the other hand, some of the genera possess the biotechnological potential for treating and remediating contaminated waters, which is a compelling reason for implementing biohydrogeology in the standard hydrogeological research methodology.