Fluoride contamination of aquifers in the southeast subhumid pampa, Argentina

Abstract

A diagnostic survey was carried out of the groundwater in the southeast subhumid pampa of Argentina in order to determine the presence, spatial distribution, and concentration of fluoride. The area studied extends along the southeastern border of the pampa plains between latitude 38 degrees 18' and 38 degrees 58' S and longitude 60 degrees 43' and 61 degrees 43' W, covering an irregular surface area of approximately 6000 km2. The region has a large rural and suburban population that relies on this groundwater as its principal source of water for human consumption and for use in agricultural and livestock production. The variation in fluoride content in the groundwater is illustrated on maps of the area, showing that the whole region is affected by this ion contaminant. In 97.1% of the samples fluoride values exceeded the limits recommended by the Argentine Food Code for human consumption and indicated that the use of the water in livestock should be restricted. The quality of the water for irrigation purposes also was seriously affected. Critically affected zones were identified with a view to implementing public health measures to protect against this highly contaminated resource.

Adsorption kinetics of phosphate and arsenate on goethite. A comparative study

“…Arsenate, on the other hand, is toxic and carcinogenic. Health problems related to its toxicity have been recognized in many regions, including Mexico, Argentina, and Chile [3,4]. It is well known that the mobilization of phosphate and arsenate in the environment is significantly influenced by mineral surfaces.…”

“…On goethite, which has been used extensively in adsorption studies because it is the most widespread crystalline iron oxide in soils and sediments, the adsorption of phosphate and arsenate is rather similar under equilibrium or near equilibrium conditions. Gao and Mucci [10], for example, showed that both species have a strong affinity for the goethite surface in 0.7 M NaCl solution in an ample pH interval (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). The adsorption is high and nearly constant between pH 3 and 7, and then decreases slightly as the pH increases.…”

Comparison of fluoride effects on germination and growth of Zea mays, Glycine max and Sorghum vulgare

“…It has also been detected fetal abnormalities and abortions in women living in areas of fluorosis . In recent years, researchers found in southern Argentina sources of water and vegetables with high fluoride content, associated with dental fluorosis and decreased pregnancy in cattle and red deer . There are no studies that evaluate the amount of fluoride ingested by grazing animals eating vegetables grown in areas with high F content in soil.…”

Geochemical processes regulating F − , as and NO 3 − content in the groundwater of a sector of the Pampean Region, Argentina

“…It is estimated that about 200 million people worldwide are supplied with water containing high concentrations of F − (Edmunds and Smedley, 2004). Some of the countries where high contents of F − in groundwater used for drinking have been reported are India (Ramamohana Rao et al, 1993;Karthikeyan et al, 1996;Viswanathan et al, 2009), Serbia (Mandinic et al, 2010), Korea (Chae et al, 2007), China (Zhang et al, 2003;Binbin et al, 2005), Cameroon (Fantong et al, 2010), Nigeria (Gbadebo, 2012), Pakistan (Shah and Danishwar, 2003), Spain (Sanz Pérez and Sanz, 1999), Italy (D'Alessandro et al, 2008), Portugal (Cordeiro et al, 2012), Mexico (Grimaldo et al, 1995), Chile (Mella et al, 1994), Brazil (De Souza et al, 2013), Argentina (Kruse and Ainchil, 2003;Paoloni et al, 2003), etc.…”