To date, few systematic studies of the spatial distribution, formation mechanism, and health risks of high-fluoride (F−) shallow groundwater in humid and semi-humid areas of the Xikuangshan antimony mine, Hunan Province, China. In this study, during March and April 2022, a total of 39 shallow groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using factor analysis, principal component analysis, and health risk assessment. F− concentrations in the shallow groundwater were found to range from 0.08 to 15.00 mg/L (mean: 1.21 mg/L), with 25.64% of the samples having F− concentrations higher than in the Chinese national standard for drinking water (1.00 mg/L). Principal component analysis revealed that the main source of F− in the shallow groundwater samples is cation exchange, accounting for 73.40%, followed by the dissolution and precipitation of F-bearing minerals (15.10%), and human influence (11.50%). Among different age groups, children had the highest percentage of individuals (36.38%) with an F− intake above the health risk quotient safety limit, followed by adult males (23.12%), teenagers (22.21%), and infants (21.22%). The findings of this study will contribute to devising strategies for the provision of safe drinking water and management of the geological environment.
The century-old mining development and utilization of antimony (Sb) ore in Xikuangshan (XKS) mine, groundwater antimony pollution has attracted great attention. At present, the sources and geochemical behaviors of high Sb groundwater in this area have been widely recognized, but morphological distribution and formation mechanisms of Sb(V) and Sb(III) in shallow groundwater were still little known. Forty-three groundwater samples of Magunao aquifer (D3x4) were collected between June and September 2020 to determine morphological distribution and formation mechanisms of Sb valence state in the recharge area, runoff area and discharge area. The range of Sb content in the recharge area, runoff area, and discharge area of the D3x4 water was 3.300 × 10−3–7.982 mg/L, 1.760 × 10−2–17.326 mg/L and 1.230 × 10−2–16.773 mg/L, respectively. The D3x4 water is dominated by Sb(V), which form was Sb(OH)6−. The Sb(V) mainly comes from the oxidative dissolution of Sb2S3, the mining activities, and the leaching of arsenic alkali residues. The silicate mineral weathering, carbonate mineral dissolution, and ion exchange promote the dissolution of Sb2S3. At the same time, redox and competitive adsorption in the runoff area increase the Sb(V) content in the water environment. The results of this research provide an understanding of the mechanism of Sb pollution in shallow groundwater and will help in controlling water-environment pollution and securing water-resource in mining areas.
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