Andrew Toyi Banyikwa2024-08-202024-08-202023Banyikwa, A. T. Spatial Distribution and Regulation of Fluoride in Groundwater of Singida Region in Tanzania. Available at SSRN 4561374.URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4561374https://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4901Full text. Available at https://ssrn.com/abstract=4561374luoride (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.enWater qualityFluoride in groundwaterSingida regionCentral TanzaniaArticle10.2139/ssrn.4561374