Fluorine distribution in soil in the vicinity of an accidental spillage of hydrofluoric acid in Korea

Abstract

This study assessed the status of fluorine (F) in soil in the vicinity of a spillage of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in Korea. Gaseous hydrogen fluoride dispersed was suspected to have contaminated the surrounding soil environment. Total and water soluble F concentrations in soil within a 1km radius of the spillage were determined. Total F concentrations (mean=222±70.1mgkg−1) were lower than the Korean limit value (i.e., 400mgkg−1) and several reported measurements of background F concentrations in soils except for a single outlying case. Soluble F concentrations ranged from 0.111 to 6.40mgkg−1 (mean=2.20±1.80mgkg−1). A negative correlation between the soluble F concentration of soil and distance from the spillage was observed. This indicates that the soluble F concentration has a crucial role in fractionating the F concentration arising from a ‘non natural input’ i.e., the spillage. The F content of rice samples seemed to be significantly influenced by the soluble F concentrations of soils. Rice samples collected from the control and affected areas contained 41mgkg−1 and 578mgkg−1 of total F, respectively.