Serbian Spas as a Base for Tourism Development

Abstract

Serbia is a relatively small country. Its total surface area is 88.000 km2, but the geological compositions are very complex. Due to this complexity, 250 natural springs and 100 wells with thermal water are situated in the territory of Serbia. Reservoirs of this water vary as do the chemical compositions of the rocks. The pH values of thermomineral waters vary from 2.5 (hyperacid) up to 12 (hyperalcaline). The TDS values vary from 0.2 gr/kg to 20 gr/kg. The maximum temperature of natural springs is 96 oC. The maximum temperature of thermal waters from wells is 111 oC. According to geothermometers, the maximum expected temperature of geothermal water is 150 oC. The total amount of thermal waters discharged from natural springs and wells is 5.000 l/s. Utilization of thermomineral water, about 20 percent, is mainly for balneotherapeutic purposes and tourism in 46 spas.