Kogarkoite, Na3(SO4)F, from the Shalo hot spring, Main Ethiopian Rift: implications for F-enrichment of thermal groundwater related to alkaline silicic volcanic rocks

Abstract

.Increased concentrations of fluorine in groundwater were detected in the area of the rift floor of the central and northern parts of the Main Ethiopian Rift including the wider vicinity of the towns of Shashemene and Hawasa; however, this is the first described occurrence of fluorine-bearing mineral related to hot springs in Ethiopia. The presence of “free” fluorine both in cold groundwater (up to 17 mg/l) and in the Shalo hot spring (40 mg/l) is related to the prevalence of highly alkaline silicic volcanic rocks (namely pantelleritic obsidians) extremely poor in calcium and phosphorus. This prevents fixing of fluorine in apatite or in other stable minerals.