Geochemical assessment of groundwater quality with special emphasis on fluoride in Tabasein Plain, Eastern Iran

The aim of this research was the geochemical assessment of the groundwater quality and the evaluation of the distribution pattern of fluoride concentration in water resources of the region and their connection with the prevalence of dental fluorosis occurrence in the study area. To achieve to this goal six sediment and 22 water samples were taken and analyzed. Fluoride and phosphorous concentration were remarkably high (1400 ppm and 6231 ppm respectively) in basaltic-andesite unit. Water resources located in the southern part of old lake had the highest TDS (> 6300mg/L) compared with the others. Fluoride content differ from 0.64-1.71mg/L and in 27% water samples were higher than allowable amount expressed by WHO (1.5mg/L). The health effects of fluoride were investigated on 210 students at the age of 7-16 years old. The results indicated that the fluoride concentration increased in the vicinity of the igneous rocks in water resources and also increased with the time residence. The concentration of fluoride in groundwater indicated the prevalence of dental fluorosis occurrence in the study area. The intensity of the disease revealed a meaningful correlation with the age and the male gender.