Free Access
Issue
Analusis
Volume 28, Number 9, November 2000
Endocrine disruptors
Page(s) 864 - 871
Section Original articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/analusis:2000158
Analusis 28, 864-871 (2000)
DOI: 10.1051/analusis:2000158

Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometric microanalysis of crystalline deposits following evaporation of CO3H-, Mg2+ and Ca2+ containing aqueous solutions

J.-É. Surlève-Bazeille1, M. Mercier1, R. Tarroux2, A. Mavon2, E. Neuzil3, D. Licu2 and P. Dupuy2

1  Laboratoire des facteurs de défense et de régulation cellulaire, Université Bordeaux 1, avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence Cedex, France
2  Institut de recherche Pierre Fabre, allées Camille Soula, Vigoulet-Auzil, BP 82, 31322 Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France
3  Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, 146, rue Léo Saignat, 33000 Bordeaux, France


(Received September 19, 2000; accepted October 3, 2000.)

Abstract
This paper is the first application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and of energy dispersive selection microanalysis (EDS) to the study of natural spa waters used as sprays in current dermatological practice; the aim was to relate the mineral composition of the spray to the sensitory perception recorded by the patients. Crystallized deposits were first obtained on a collodion film, from two spa waters mainly containing hydrogenocarbonate, calcium and magnesium ions, but differing by their Mg/Ca ratio. In order to understand the types of crystals formed, mineral solutions of simpler composition were prepared and submitted to the same process. Among the crystalline varieties of calcium carbonate, calcite and vaterite were characterized; aragonite could not be detected in spa waters deposits, despite the presence of magnesium, which favours the crystallization of this orthorhombic form in the artificial solutions.


Key words: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) -- energy dispersive selection microanalysis (EDS) -- bicarbonated (hydrogenocarbonated) spa waters -- Calcium carbonate crystallization.


© EDP Sciences, Wiley-VCH 2000