Preliminary laboratory tests carried out on 20 mineral waters indicate that the infrared (IR) method for the determination of total dissolved inorganic carbon (TDIC) is more accurate than the pH-alkalinity method, especially for high-TDIC, naturally sparkling waters and low-TDIC waters. The results of the two analytical methods are similar for mineral waters whose TDIC ranges from 100 to 500 mg/L as HCO3, suggesting a relative accuracy of 0.3-2.9%. The limit of detection (LOD) of the IR method is close to 10 mg HCO3/L and independent of pH. This value is comparable with the LOD of the pH-alkalinity method in the pH range 6.5-9 whereas the LOD of the latter increases strongly with decreasing pH below pH 6.5. The IR method is quick, since a run takes a few minutes and, on average, 10 analyses are carried out in an hour, including the time spent for clean up and preparation between samples. It constitutes a sound alternative to the pH-alkalinity technique for the field measurement of TDIC in geothermal and other natural waters. (c) 2006 CNR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.