I added this page a little out of frustration at the plethora of “Sulphur Springs” that have appeared in Oman over recent years.
Oman has some beautiful pools, and even has some very attractive blue pools, it has a number of hot springs but interestingly, so far not a single sulphur spring has been brought to my attention. Followers of the health benefits of sulphur springs will no doubt be disapointed, but while they may have reaped the benefits of soaking in blue waters, they have not been floating in true sulphur spring waters. They have, in reality, been soothed by quite alkaline mineral rich spring waters (largely calcium rich and high pH).
Ive mapped below some of the common and easily accessible springs in Oman. Clicking the marker shows brief additional information/ photo etc.
Most of these springs are showing a constant flow of calcium rich alkaline water (pH 11+) while others are ephemeral and some like Wadi Abyad show the likely presence of springs but the actual spring isnt readily found. Ive added notably hot springs but have not fussed over marginally warmer waters. While sulphur springs around the world have a low pH (a measure of acidity/ alkalinity) and are thus acidic, Omans’ mineral springs are typically around 10-13 pH and thus notably alkaline.
Sulphur springs typically precipitate sulphur of which we see none in Oman, while Omans’ mineral springs precipitate a white fine crystal mass of calcium +/- magnesium carbonate (most commonly calcite or magnesite (with some reports referring to the more rare and unstable aragonite crystals). This is what settles in blue pools like snow on the bed of the pool, its what makes the water appear blue typically reflecting the blue sky. Also note that as people splash around, this calcite mush gets circulated in the water turning it a milky blue colour.
So many YouTube videos refer to sulphur springs and describe the white calcite deposits as sulphur (this is proven to be wrong in all of the analyses I’ve seen). I note one video points out very dramatically that sulphur springs have an unpleasant odour of rotten eggs (this is hydrogen sulphide). While Omans’ springs have no H2S odour, another YouTube video recalls the deadly nature of hydrogen sulphide and implies people might die from visiting Omans’ springs without protective masks – don’t worry Oman may have oil and gas wells that produce H2S but Omans’ mineral springs do not. Apart from falling into the water (which to be honest I have done) you are safe.
Yes I am a geologist by profession! I will provide a link to a more technical description of why Omans springs are where they are and why they form, but not on this page.
A final general request is please show the ‘DATUM’ when giving GPS locations. Without this, errors in finding locations can be significant. All of my references are UTM 40Q or R in the north and if degrees and minutes are reported then WPS 84 datum is used.
So mineral Springs:
Rustaq
Nakhal / hot spring
Wadi Abyad
Ain Al Sabhan near to the UAE border/ Buraimi
Hammam Ali – the hottest spring
Al Hinn Mineral Spring near Bid Bid