Geochemical occurrences of arsenic and fluoride in bedrock groundwater: a case study in Geumsan County, Korea

Bedrock groundwaters in Geumsan County, Korea, were surveyed to investigate the distribution and geochemical behaviors of arsenic and fluoride, mobilized through geogenic processes. The concentrations were enriched up to 113 mu g/L for arsenic and 7.54 mg/L for fluoride, and 16% of 150 samples exceeded World Health Organization drinking water guidelines for each element. Simple Ca-HCO3 groundwater types and positive correlations with pH, Ca, SO4, and HCO3 were characteristics of high (> 10 mu g/L) As groundwaters. The oxidation reaction of sulfide minerals in metasedimentary rocks and locally mineralized zones seems to be ultimately responsible for the existence of arsenic in groundwater. Desorption process under high pH conditions may also control the arsenic mobility in the study area. High (> 1.5 mg/L) F groundwaters were found in the Na-HCO3 type and with greater depth. Fluoride seemed to be enriched by deep groundwater interaction with granitic rocks, and continuous supply to shallow Ca-HCO3-type groundwater kept the concentration high. In the study area, drinking water management should include periodic As and F monitoring in groundwater.