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Deciphering hydrochemistry characteristic, evolution process, and human health risks of fluoride-enriched geothermal resources in the southern part of North China Plain.
| Environmental Geochemistry and Health | Jin J, Zhang S, Wang H, Wang R, He J, Yu K. | 47(8):327.
Children China Geothermal Groundwater Other

Abstract

Fluoride-enriched geothermal resources have the potential risks for human health, which may cause dental fluorosis and bone fluorosis. Previous research has predominantly focused on the hydrochemical characteristics of high-fluoride groundwater in the North China Plain (NCP), with limited attention given to the evolution of fluoride-enriched geothermal groundwater. This study, utilizing a dataset of major ion concentrations, ?D, and ?18O from 45 samples, aims to investigate the hydrochemistry, evolution, and genetic mechanisms of fluoride-enriched geothermal groundwater in southern NCP. Our findings indicate that the geothermal groundwater originates from precipitation in the Taihangshan area, with a recharge elevation of 1415~1838 m. After deep circulation at depths of 3556~4135 m and heating by a geothermal reservoir at 150~170 °C, the groundwater mixes with shallow cold groundwater during upwelling, incorporating a proportion of 58~93%. The hydrological evolution process of fluoride-enriched geothermal groundwater is primarily driven by water–rock interactions and the dissolution of fluoride-enriched minerals, while also being influenced by the alkaline groundwater environment and cation exchange interactions. Based on these analyses, a conceptual model of the evolution of fluoride-enriched geothermal groundwater in the NCP is proposed. Health risk assessment results reveal that children are at a higher health risk from fluoride—enriched geothermal groundwater compared to adult females and males.

Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful to Chinese Academy of Geological Science, the Department of Natural Resources of Hebei Province, Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi and National Natural Science Foundation of China for providing the necessary fund and facilities during the entire period of study.

Funding

This study is supported by Deep Earth Probe and Mineral Resources Exploration -National Science and Technology Major Project (2024ZD1004103), Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences Basal Research Fund (No. JKY202406, No. JKYQN202307 and No. JKYZD202401), the geological exploration project of Department of Natural Resources of Hebei Province (454–0503-YBN-5DAN), Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi (2022JQ-238), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (42302301).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Geological Brigade of Hebei Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration Bureau, Handan, 056106, Hebei, China

    Jiemin Jin, Haimin Wang & Renxia Wang

  2. Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China

    Shouchuan Zhang

  3. Beijing Institute of Geo-Engineering, Beijing, 100048, China

    Jiahui He

  4. Xi’an Center of Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Xi’an, 710119, Shaanxi, China

    Kun Yu

Contributions

Jiemin Jin: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Funding acquisition, Project administration, Writing–original draft. Haimin Wang: Data curation, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Project administration. Shouchuan Zhang: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Software, Writing–review and editing. Renxia Wang: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Software, Writing–review and editing. Jiahui He: Investigation and Visualization. Kun Yu: Investigation and Funding acquisition.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Shouchuan Zhang or Renxia Wang.

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ABSTRACT ONLINE AT https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-025-02623-5