Role of high mountain areas in catchment hydromineral resources - Northern/Central Portugal: environmental issues.

This study summarizes the results of geological, geomorphological, tectonic, geochemical, geophysical, hydrogeological and isotopic techniques in hydromineral resources assessment (issue temperature between 27oC and 45oC). Two case studies are presented: i) Serra da Estrela mountain region, the highest mountain in Portuguese mainland and ii) Serra do Marao mountain region. A special emphasis is dedicated to the recharge and discharge processes and the role of snowmelt as a source of hydromineral resources. Since local Spas are particularly dependent on water quality, the existence of mixing between hydromineral waters and local shallow groundwaters is also considered.