Blue Lagoon – Geothermal Energy Plant, Medicinal Spa

At first glance you wouldn’t think that the run off from an energy plant would lend itself to being a medicinal spa. However this is exactly what has happened in Iceland, a country that relies on hydroelectric or geothermal sources for all its energy needs, (apart from transportation).

Icelandic power plants epitomise efficient energy production. They harness the renewable sources that are constantly coming up from the ground.

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Back in the 1970’s, the Blue Lagoon was one of the first medicinal spa’s to be created as a by product of this system. It can be found within the lava fields of the Svartsengi geothermal plant.

Discharged water from the plant, which is rich in salt, blue green algae, sulphur, and white silica, was found to help with skin problems by locals who ventured into the run-off.

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The Blue Lagoon has since become one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. The geothermal plant continues to work alongside the spa, pulling seawater up from 2,000 meters underground.

Once the sea water has moved through the turbines of the plant, the seawater comes into the lagoon via a pipeline, completely free of bacteria with a rather inviting temperature of around 39°C (102°F).

Hundreds of thousands of visitors (both tourists and native Icelanders) come to the Lagoon each year to swim in the sapphire waters, while hoping to benefit from the earth minerals contained within.

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(Image Credits: Air Pano, Cegroni, Guide to Iceland)
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