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Evaluation of Long‐Term (1960–2010) Groundwater Fluoride Contamination in Texas
Author(s) -
Chaudhuri Sriroop,
Ale Srinivasulu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2013.04.0133
Subject(s) - contamination , groundwater , environmental science , groundwater contamination , term (time) , fluoride , water resource management , groundwater pollution , environmental chemistry , environmental engineering , aquifer , chemistry , geology , ecology , biology , geotechnical engineering , inorganic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
Groundwater quality degradation is a major threat to sustainable development in Texas. The aim of this study was to elucidate spatiotemporal patterns of groundwater fluoride (F − ) contamination in different water use classes in 16 groundwater management areas in Texas between 1960 and 2010. Groundwater F − concentration data were obtained from the Texas Water Development Board and aggregated over a decadal scale. Our results indicate that observations exceeding the drinking water quality threshold of World Health Organization (1.5 mg F L −1 ) and secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) (2 mg F L −1 ) of the USEPA increased from 26 and 19% in the 1960s to 37 and 23%, respectively, in the 2000s. In the 2000s, F − observations > SMCL among different water use classes followed the order: irrigation (39%) > domestic (20%) > public supply (17%). Extent and mode of interaction between F − and other water quality parameters varied regionally. In western Texas, high F − concentrations were prevalent at shallower depths (<50 m) and were positively correlated with bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) and sulfate anions. In contrast, in southern and southeastern Texas, higher F − concentrations occurred at greater depths (>50 m) and were correlated with HCO 3 − and chloride anions. A spatial pattern has become apparent marked by “excess” F − in western Texas groundwaters as compared with “inadequate” F − contents in rest of the state. Groundwater F − contamination in western Texas was largely influenced by groundwater mixing and evaporative enrichment as compared with water–rock interaction and mineral dissolution in the rest of the state.