THE MINERAL SPRINGS OF SARATOGA 4I 



at time of solution. Thus, when the temperature is 55° F. under a 

 pressure of one atmosphere water dissolves about one volume of 

 carbonic acid gas. With a higher temperature it dissolves less, and 

 with a falling temperature more. Under a pressure of five 

 atmospheres it will dissolve at 55° F. about five volumes. Now an 

 atmosphere is roughly 14 pounds pressure to the square inch, and is 

 equivalent to a head of about 32 feet of water. In a standing 

 column of water as soon as we pass a depth of 160 feet the over- 

 lying liquid will exert a pressure of 5 atmospheres and can keep 

 5 volumes of gas quietly in solution. As we go deeper more and 

 more gas can be dissolved with the increasing pressure. The waters 

 in the bored wells usually come from a depth of about twice 160, 

 and are but half saturated with gas for that depth. All the gas is 

 in solution just as it is in a siphon of carbonic water. If, however, 

 we get an upward flow started, so that the dissolved gas under 

 diminishing pressure can escape from solution, it replaces a part of 

 the heavier water with the lighter gas, and greatly reduces the 

 specific gravity of the water column, and therefore diminishes the 

 pressure resting on its base. The solubility is reduced, more gas 

 escapes and a flow of gas and water results. When a barrier is 

 Interposed the free gas escapes and collects at the top. Equilibrium 

 of solution and pressure is established and the water stands quietly 

 in the tube. Nevertheless it seems surprising, when one views the 

 agitated spouting and gurgling of the springs, to think that they can 

 be brought to rest by so simple a means. 



It also follows that when carbonic acid gas is once in solution 

 and at depths where the pressure prevents saturation and escape, 

 the gas will remain in solution indefinitely. It is no more remarkable 

 that this carbonated solution should be contained in the strata of 

 the earth for one or several geological periods, than that a solution 

 of common salt or of any other salt should do the same. 



The Saratoga and Ballston springs are, on the whole, the richest 

 in carbonic acid of those known in this country. 



THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATERS 

 The waters come to the surface with temperatures that are in 

 almost all cases between 50° and 54° F. or io°-i2° C. Doctor 

 Chandler records in a total of eight cases six between 50 and 52, 

 and two at 48 and 46. For the Ballston waters he gives two at 52 

 and one at 54. Many readings at the wells of the General Carbonic 

 Co. fall in with the first general statement of 50° to 54° F. The 



