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Whilst most people flock to The Dead Sea to experience the
surrealistic sensation of floating on water, few understand the
chemical make-up of The Dead Sea. |
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The water of the
Dead Sea contains 21 minerals including magnesium, calcium,
bromine and potassium. 12 of these are found in no other sea or
ocean and some are recognized for imparting a relaxed feeling,
nourishing the skin, activating the circulatory system and for
easing rheumatic discomfort and metabolic disorders. Comparison
between the chemical composition of the Dead Sea to other lakes
and oceans show that the salt's concentration in the Dead Sea is
many times higher, and the bromine ions' concentration is the
highest of all waters on earth. Chlorides neutralize most of the
calcium ions in the Dead Sea and its surroundings. While in
other seas NaCl is 97%, in the Dead Sea the quantity of the NaCl
is only 12-18 percent. The water temperature goes from 19 degrees
Celsius in February to 31 degrees Celsius in August. |
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1) The Dead Sea Waters: |
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The water of
the Dead Sea is the world’s saltiest lake water, where the
salinity of the
surface water reaches 290 gm/L, in comparison to the Red Sea
salinity which reaches
40 gm/L only.
It offers an intense concentration of trace elements that
are absorbed into the skin.
The water is a concentrated solution of chlorides, of
calcium, potassium, sodium and
magnesium and high percentage of dissolved bromides. The
concentration of magnesium known of its anti-allergic
influence on the skin is fifteen times higher than the
Mediterranean sea and the bromine is fifty times more. |
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The high
salinity means high total dissolved salts ( T.D.S.), which
reaches 335.214 P.P.M. ( par per million , compared to the
Mediterranean water which is 80000 P.P.M. only.
The high salinity of the Dead Sea water is due to the
tremendous evaporation process and the high amount of salts
and mineral sediments.
The water density is consequently high and reaches 1.23 gm
per cc. at 25 C.
Bathing in the Dead Sea is very beneficial for Psoriasis
Arthritis especially in severe cases where movements are
limited. The high specific gravity counteracts the weight of
the body and allows floating without any effort. This is
also an ideal medium for therapeutic exercises |
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2) SUN SHINE |
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Sun shine is
filtered through the low situation of the Dead Sea (
additional 408 meters of air), then comes the vapor cover
above the Dead Sea due to the high evaporation rate. This
vapor serves as an additional filter to sunshine, and
through this nature filter the (UV) ultra-violet ray is
reduced as well as (UVB) rays responsible for the sun burn,
therefore, the conditions are adequate for solar therapy
which constitute a basic element of climate therapy is a
available in the area. |
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UNIQUE SUN RAYS |
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Increased
attenuation of a specific spectrum of ultra-violet radiation
provides unusual therapeutic properties with an impressive
impact on a number of diseases. At the Dead Sea the sun's
ultraviolet rays are attenuated by three natural phenomena. |
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1)The longest
solar ray optical path length as a result of it being the
lowest terrestrial point (approx.-408 m) on the Earth. This
results in enhanced scattering by air molecules, water vapor
and aerosols.
2)A relatively dense haze, composed of aerosols (minerals),
caused by continuous evaporation from Dead Sea.
Together these layers act as an unique filtering screen that
reduces the intensity of the more harmful lower wave length
UVB rays to a greater extend than the longer wave length UVA
rays. |
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3)
AIR |
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The Dead Sea
region is of rich in oxygen – 10% more than at the Mediterranean
sea level. This combined with extremely low polluting factors
contribute towards remarkably pure air, which has proved to be
great benefit for those suffering from respiratory conditions. |
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The atmosphere is
also rich in bromide, which is about 15 times more than Amman
for example – bromide acts as a natural Sedative allowing the
nervous system to recover and rest, so restoring the mind and
the body. |
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4)
TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY RATE |
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Temperature
average in December is 24 degree and in August is 36.6 degree (
according to daily temperature in 1996). While humidity rate is
very low, that is 45% during December and 32-3% during August
during August (according to humidity in 1996). Precipitation
rate is 100 mm. (1996) sea water temperature rate is 26.7 degree
during December and 37.3 degree during August according to sea
water temperature in 1996. This means that the climatic therapy
conditions even in winter months are considered excellent and
this makes the climatic therapy possible through out the year.
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5) ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE |
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Due to the low
situation of the Dead Sea the atmospheric pressure is as high as
800mm. Oxygen rate is 10% higher than the Mediterranean costs. |
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6)
BLACK MUD |
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The chemical
analysis of the Dead Sea mud shows that it contains many salts
and minerals as the mud absorbs them from the water itself.
The mud is rich in magnesium, and natural bitumen, and silicates
(Silicon compounds ): the latter has a mask effect to the skin
useful for cosmetic purpose. The black color of mud absorbs
high sun rays, so it acts as a photo-sensitizer when it is
applied to the skin; also causing its temperature to rise and
retain it's heat. The mud is capable of absorbing large amounts
of water up to 70% of its volume. Mud baths are mainly useful
for arthropathy, as they help in stimulation of blood
circulation around the affected joints, and so mud packs are
effective in case of psoriatic arthritis. |
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