Abstract
The presence of saline groundwater has become one of the most acute problems for water resource management worldwide, since it causes deterioration in water quality and endangers future exploitation of groundwater resources. In addition, high levels of groundwater salinity are often associated with an increase in the concentrations of fluoride (F). Diverse mechanisms govern salts and fluoride enrichment in groundwater. In this case, saline groundwater with elevated fluoride (up to 14.1 mg/L) in the Yuncheng Basin (YB) was investigated. The research shows: (i) large-scale contamination of F in groundwater is closely associated with groundwater salinization processes in the area; (ii) groundwater with high F concentrations has distinctive major ion chemistry: Na-rich and Ca-poor with a high pH and HCO3- content. The major ion chemistry and pH are controlled by mineral dissolution, cation exchange, and evaporation in the aquifer systems which are also important for F mobilization.
Highlights
In inland regions, especially arid/semi-arid regions, groundwater constitutes the largest available source of freshwater
Groundwater quality frequently fails to meet the requirement for potable water supply due to natural processes and/or anthropogenic activities that affect water composition
High concentrations of fluoride have been detected in the saline groundwater from Quaternary aquifers in the Yuncheng Basin (YB), a typical area in semi-arid northern China, where groundwater plays a vital role as a water supply for irrigation and drinking
Summary
Especially arid/semi-arid regions, groundwater constitutes the largest available source of freshwater. Groundwater quality frequently fails to meet the requirement for potable water supply due to natural processes and/or anthropogenic activities that affect water composition. The presence of saline groundwater is one of the most conspicuous problems globally, especially in water-scarce areas. In many parts of China, eastern Africa and India, elevated fluoride contents are related with overall groundwater salinity and cause prevailing dental and skeletal fluorosis. High concentrations of fluoride have been detected in the saline groundwater from Quaternary aquifers in the Yuncheng Basin (YB), a typical area in semi-arid northern China, where groundwater plays a vital role as a water supply for irrigation and drinking. Little is known about the natural and anthropogenic processes that control the salts and fluoride enrichment in groundwater
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