Geochemical provenance and spatial distribution of fluoride in groundwater of Taiyuan basin, China

Hydrogeochemistry data were utilized to understand origin, distribution, and geochemical evolution of the high-fluoride groundwater in Taiyuan basin, China. In the study area, the spatial distribution of the high-fluoride groundwater are strictly controlled by the host rock and geomorphic conditions. Three types of groundwater with the F(-) concentration of < 1.5 mg/L, 1.5-2 mg/L and > 2 mg/L are located in the areas bordering the limestone zones, in the areas bordering the sandstone of Permian and Carboniferous, and in the depressions of the central parts of the basin, respectively. The high-fluoride groundwater mostly have the high values of TDS, and its values of pH range from 7.2 to 8.8. The most common water types of the high-fluoride groundwater are Na center dot Ca-HCO(3) and Na center dot Mg-HCO(3). The geochemical mode reveals that the dissolution of the fluorine-containing minerals and the evaporation effect of the shallow groundwater control the evolution of high F(-) concentration in Taiyuan basin.