Contact angle keying method for an integrated analytical approach to characterising waters in the Lourdes area (Pyrenees, France)

Wettability research was orchestrated with chemical and biological (microalgae, bacteria) characteristics in multidisciplinary assessment of different types of waters (groundwater, surface water, disinfected drinking water) from the area of Lourdes town (Haute Pyrenees Department, France). Multidisciplinary data were subjected to statistical analysis. The molecular analysis indicated that isolated cultivable bacterial strains belonging to γ-Proteobacteria significantly dominate over bacteria classified within the Flavobacteriia and β-Proteobacteria groups. The correlations between the contact angles and the chemical parameters suggest their influences on the surface tension characteristics of the waters. The relations between the contact angle and microbiological data confirm the influence of environmental conditions on the biological and surface tension parameters of the waters. Implementation of surface tensiometry technique to the study of the biological and geochemical status of groundwater has not previously been performed. This work encourages applications that aim at the assessment and understanding of groundwater ecosystems.