Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Bottled Waters Sourced from Bedrock Aquifers in South Korea: Evaluation of Water Type and Natural Background Levels

The hydrogeochemical properties of bottled waters (n = 37) were examined to evaluate the factors governing their quality and suggest natural background levels (NBLs) groundwater. sourced from bedrock aquifers various geological types analyzed for 14 physicochemical parameters 48 trace elements. mainly consisted Ca-HCO3 type with low TDS (mean 158.4 mg/L; n 33) regardless type, indicating degrees water–rock interaction. results principal component analysis (PCA) showed that these characterized by dissolution calcite Ca-plagioclase (PC1) weathering Na-plagioclase cation exchange (PC2). PCA concentrations F 0.4 mg/L) revealed represent slightly mineralized groundwater, probably because boreholes installed in fractured aquifers, avoiding high (>1.5 mg/L). 90th percentiles proposed as NBLs Korean groundwater 11 major elements 20 NO3 (7.9 (0.9 similar EU 1785), implying suggested are acceptable management.