Spatial Distribution and Regulation of Fluoride in Groundwater of Singida Region in Tanzania
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Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Abstract
luoride (F-
) is a common geogenic source of groundwater pollution in central Tanzania, which
includes the Singida region. Recommended levels of F-
in drinking water set by the World
Health Organization (WHO 2017) is 1.50 mgl-1. High F-
exposure causes dental and skeletal
fluorosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the geochemistry, spatial distribution, and levels
of F- in groundwater obtained from boreholes in seven districts of the Singida region. Results
show that F-
exists in the gradient and is more concentrated to the north than south and east than
west of the region. Highest F-
was found in Iramba district at 13.00 mgl-1. Singida rural and
Mkalama districts located to the north of the region were found to have the highest percentage of
samples with F-
above 1.5 mgl-1 at 90.00 % and 81.80 % respectively. Manyoni and Itigi districts
located to the south of the region were found to have lowest percentage of samples with F-
above
1.5 mgl-1 at 11.10 % and 0.00 % respectively. Values for F- in Mkamala and Singida rural
districts are max= 6.60 mgl-1, min = 0.06 mgl-1, mean and SD = 3.39±1.66 and max = 5.10mgl-1
,
min = 0.64 mgl-1, mean and SD= 2.90±0.30 respectively. Positive correlation was found between
pH, HCO3
- and F-
. Negative correlation was found between F-
and Ca2++Mg2+. Itigi district was
found to have the lowest mean F- at 0.46 mgl-1 and highest ratios of Ca2+/F- and Mg2+/F- at 335.01
and 182.24 respectively. Mkalama district was found to have the highest mean F- at 3.39 mgl-1
and lowest ratios of Ca2+/F- and Mg2+/F- at 31.55 and 24.16 respectively. Conclusions; Ca2+ and
Mg2+ play a major role in the regulation of F-
. Groundwater in the north of the region requires F remediation before drinking.
Description
Full text. Available at https://ssrn.com/abstract=4561374
Keywords
Water quality, Fluoride in groundwater, Singida region, Central Tanzania
Citation
Banyikwa, A. T. Spatial Distribution and Regulation of Fluoride in Groundwater of Singida Region in Tanzania. Available at SSRN 4561374.