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The hydrogeochemical and isotopic investigations of high fluoride (up to 8.26 mg L(-1)) groundwater in the Datong Basin, Northern China were carried out in order to evaluate the geochemical controls on fluoride enrichment. The groundwater fluoride concentration tends to increase along with the regional groundwater flow path away from the basin margins, towards the central parts of the basin. Groundwater with high F concentrations has a distinctive major ion chemistry, being generally HCO3(-)-rich, Na-rich, Ca-poor, and having weak alkaline pH values (7.2 to 8.2) and Na-HCO3 waters. These data indicate that variations in the groundwater major ion chemistry and possibly pH, which are controlled by water-rock interaction processes in the aquifer, are important in mobilizing F. Positive correlations between fluoride with lithogenic sodium (LNa) and HCO3(-) in groundwater show that the high fluoride content and alkaline sodic characteristics of groundwater result from dissolution of fluorine-bearing minerals. The occurrence and behavior of fluorine in groundwater are mainly controlled by fluorite precipitation as a function of Ca(2+) concentration. A positive correlation between fluoride and δ(18)O, low F(-)/Cl(-) ratios, and the low tritium level in the fluoride-rich groundwater indicate the effects of long-term water-rock interactions and intensive evapotranspiration.

This paper discusses the reactive transport and evolution of arsenic along a selected flow path in a study plot within the central part of Datong basin. The simulation used the TOUGHREACT code. The spatial and temporal trends in hydrochemistry and mineral volume fraction along a flow path were observed. Furthermore, initial simulation of major ions and pH fits closely to the measured data. The study shows that equilibrium conditions may be attained at different stress periods for each parameter simulated. It is noted that the variations in ionic chemistry have a greater impact on arsenic distribution while reducing conditions drive the mobilization of arsenic. The study concluded that the reduction of Fe(iii) and As(v) and probably SO4/HS cycling are significant factors affecting localized mobilization of arsenic. Besides cation exchange and water-rock interaction, incongruent dissolution of silicates is also a significant control mechanism of general chemistry of the Datong basin aquifer.

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