Geomedical assessment of an area having high-fluoride groundwater in southeastern Turkey

The high-fluoride concentration in groundwater has been yet determined in two villages (Sarim and Karatas) of western Sanliurfa (Turkey) where it is the only source of drinking water. To assess medical and hydrogeological dimensions of this problem, principally including fluoride concentrations as well as electrical conductivity, temperature and pH values were measured in groundwater wells of 65 villages including these two villages on site and a dental examination was performed on 451 children. The fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of four villages determined as greater than 1.20 mg/L, causing dental fluorosis among children of these villages. Results revealed that dental fluorosis cases can develop even at low fluoride levels. Finally, the prepared geomedical map demonstrated that medical and hydrogeological evidences were compatible with each other.