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===Mineral/Medicinal waters at Awe, Nigeria===

===Mineral/Medicinal waters at Awe, Nigeria===

There are five thermal mineralized springs at Awe, Nasarawa State. They include: Bitrus– a borehole, Tangarahu (Fig. 12), Ruwan Zafi, Ruwan Dumi and Ruwan Zafi Akiri, all located in the Central Benue Trough of Nigeria (Fig. 13).

UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_12.png|{{figure number|12}}Tangarahu Spring, Awe, Nigeria (after Nghargbu et al, 2013).

UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_13.png|{{figure number|13}}Geology of Awe and environs. QUATERNARY (A) Alluvium (B) Tertiary To Recent Volcanics; CRETACEOUS (C) Nkporo Shale Group (D) Awgu-Ndeabo Shale Group (E) Ezeaku Shale Group (F) Asu River Group; PRECAMBRIAN (G) Basement Complex (H) Anticlinal Axis (I) Synclinal Axis (J) Fracture (after Nghargbu et al, 2013).]]

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_12.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|12}}]]

There are five thermal mineralized springs at Awe, Nasarawa State. They include: Bitrus– a borehole, Tangarahu ([[:File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_12.png|Figure 12]]), Ruwan Zafi, Ruwan Dumi and Ruwan Zafi Akiri, all located in the Central Benue Trough of Nigeria ([[:File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_13.png|Figure 13]]).

 

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_13.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|13}}]]

The water of these springs is connate in nature; it was formed as a result of the trapping of ancient sea water in the Cretaceous host-beds of sandstone, silt and shale at Awe. They have high concentrations of sodium and chloride together with other cations and anions namely, thus they are termed chlorosodic. They form important sources of salt for the local community. The mineralization value of these springs is in the excess of 1000 mg/l; hence, their use for the treatment of orthopedic, dermatological, gynecological and respiratory tract diseases. According to Nghargbu et al (2013), these springs have temperatures ranging from 32.9 –46.5 oC (Table 7). This unique temperature range makes the waters of these springs good for the treatment of circulatory and vascular ailments. They are also needed in the treatment of vasodilation and inflammation.

The water of these springs is connate in nature; it was formed as a result of the trapping of ancient sea water in the Cretaceous host-beds of sandstone, silt and shale at Awe. They have high concentrations of sodium and chloride together with other cations and anions namely, thus they are termed chlorosodic. They form important sources of salt for the local community. The mineralization value of these springs is in the excess of 1000 mg/l; hence, their use for the treatment of orthopedic, dermatological, gynecological and respiratory tract diseases. According to Nghargbu et al (2013), these springs have temperatures ranging from 32.9 –46.5 oC (Table 7). This unique temperature range makes the waters of these springs good for the treatment of circulatory and vascular ailments. They are also needed in the treatment of vasodilation and inflammation.

====Therapeutic action of the mineralized thermal springs====

====Therapeutic action of the mineralized thermal springs====

The Group1 springs are applied in balneotherapy– the act of treating diseases by taking bath in mineralized water. During the bath (Fig. 14), sodium chloride gets into the keratose layer of the epidermise through osmosis. The bath can be done in basins or bath tubes.

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_14.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|14}}Balneotherapy in medicinal/mineral waters (after Nghargbu et al, 2013).]]

[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_14.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|14}}]]

The Group1 springs are applied in balneotherapy– the act of treating diseases by taking bath in mineralized water. During the bath ([[:File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_14.png|Figure 14]]), sodium chloride gets into the keratose layer of the epidermise through osmosis. The bath can be done in basins or bath tubes.

However, to achieve maximum results, the bath is combined with physical exercise; this method is called balneokinezytherapy. This combined action can be applied in the treatment of the following diseases:

However, to achieve maximum results, the bath is combined with physical exercise; this method is called balneokinezytherapy. This combined action can be applied in the treatment of the following diseases: