Defluoridation of groundwater in the south east of Algeria by adsorption

Abstract

Because of its high reactivity, fluorine does not occur in the elemental state in nature but rather in the form of salts that are grouped under the generic term of Fluoride. Fluorine is one of the natural constituents present in the groundwater of the South-East of Alge- ria. However, these waters contain high levels of fluoride in excess of the standard recom- mended by WHO, which is in the range of 1.5 mg/L for water intended for human consump- tion. These high concentrations can lead to damaging physical effects, especially dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis, as well as hypersensitivity reactions and kidney disease. The treatment of these fluorinated waters is, therefore, indispensable, which has promp- ted us to develop this research in order to be able to propose an adsorbent able to norma- lize the quantity of fluoride in the groundwater of South-East Algeria, especially the waters destined to human consumption.