Abstract:
This study aims to ascertain the distribution patterns and influencing factors of fluorine in irrigation water and soils in the Gaomi area, Shandong Province, China. Through systematic sampling and testing, this study obtained data including the pH and fluoride concentration of irrigation water and the pH, organic matter, and fluorine concentration of soils. Based on these data, this study plotted the geochemical contour maps for statistical, correlation, and difference analyses. Furthermore, this study explored the influencing factors. The results are as follows: (1) The irrigation water in the study area has a fluoride concentration of 1.89 mg/L on average, which shows strong spatial variability. Zones with high fluoride concentrations in irrigation water are distributed in the northern low-flat alluvial plain, with the number of samples with fluoride concentrations greater than 2 mg/L accounting for 63.16%. There is a significant positive correlation between the fluoride concentration in the irrigation water and the pH (
P < 0.01); (2) The soils have a fluoride concentration of 455×10
-6 on average, which shows an inhomogeneous spatial distribution. Zones with high or excess fluorine concentrations are distributed in the northern part of the study area. The fluorine concentrations of soils show significant positive correlations with the pH and organic matter of soils and the fluoride concentration of irrigation water (
P < 0.01); (3) The fluoride concentrations in the irrigation water and soils are high in the distribution area of lime concretion black soil. The results of this study reveal the background characteristics and influencing factors of fluoride in the irrigation water and soils of the Gaomi area, providing a geochemical basis for the precise prevention and control of endemic fluorosis.