Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/10256016.2015.1057136
Title (Primary) Sauna, sweat and science – quantifying the proportion of condensation water versus sweat using a stable water isotope (2H/1H and 18O/16O) tracer experiment
Author Zech, M.; Bösel, S.; Tuthorn, M.; Benesch, M.; Dubbert, M.; Cuntz, M.; Glaser, B.
Source Titel Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies
Year 2015
Department CHS
Volume 51
Issue 3
Page From 439
Page To 447
Language englisch
Supplements https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/6568764
Keywords condensation; hydrogen-2; isotope labelling; oxygen-18; phase transition; perspiration; sauna; tracer
UFZ wide themes RU5;
Abstract Most visitors of a sauna appreciate the heat pulse that is perceived when water is poured on the stones of a sauna stove. However, probably only few bathers are aware that this pleasant heat pulse is caused by latent heat being released onto our skin due to condensation of water vapour. In order to quantify the proportion of condensation water versus sweat to dripping water of test persons we conducted sauna experiments using isotopically labelled (δ18O and δ2H) thrown water as tracer. This allows differentiating between ‘pure sweat’ and ‘condensation water’. Two ways of isotope mass balance calculations were applied and yielded similar results for both water isotopes. Accordingly, condensation contributed considerably to dripping water with mean proportions of 52 ± 12 and 54 ± 7 % in a sauna experiment in winter semester 2011/12 and 30 ± 13 and 33 ± 6 % in a sauna experiment in winter semester 2012/13, respectively, depending on the way of calculating the isotope mass balance. It can be concluded from the results of our dual isotope labelling sauna experiment that it is not all about sweat in the sauna.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=16295
Zech, M., Bösel, S., Tuthorn, M., Benesch, M., Dubbert, M., Cuntz, M., Glaser, B. (2015):
Sauna, sweat and science – quantifying the proportion of condensation water versus sweat using a stable water isotope (2H/1H and 18O/16O) tracer experiment
Isot. Environ. Health Stud. 51 (3), 439 - 447 10.1080/10256016.2015.1057136