Geochemistry and health aspects of F-rich mountainous streams and groundwaters from sierras Pampeanas de Cordoba, Argentina

Abstract

Symptoms of dental fluorosis have been observed in rural communities located in the Sierras Pampeanas de Cordoba, a mountainous area in Central Argentina. The clinical assessment was performed in the Charbonier Department, where the fluoride (F−) intake was determined to be 3.90 ± 0.20 mg day−1 (n = 16). In this community, mild and severe fluorosis reach an incidence of 86.7% (total teeth surface = 636 teeth) among the children population. To determine the origin and distribution of fluorine in natural waters from the Charbonier Department and nearby regions, sampling was performed in the area covering the San Marcos River basin. The obtained results show that F− concentrations vary between ~1 to ~2.5 mg l−1, with an outlier value of 8 mg l−1. The spatial distribution of F− shows that the lowest concentrations are found at the basin’s catchments. Maximum values are located in two sectors of the basin: the Charbonier depression in the eastern part and at the San Marcos village, downstream the main collector, in the western part of the basin. In these two regions, the F− contents in ground- and surface waters are >2.0 mg l−1 and nearly constant. Dissolved F− in natural waters from the study area has its origin in the weathering of F-bearing minerals present in the region’s dominant lithology. The extent of mineral weathering is mostly determined by the residence time of water within the aquatic reservoir. Longer residence times and a major solid–water interaction lead to enhanced release of F−. This explains the higher F− concentrations found in basin areas with lower run off. The removal of F− from water appears to occur by neither fluorite precipitation, nor by adsorption. Hence, variations in F− concentrations seem to be more related to regional hydrological conditions.