Current State of Arsenic, Fluoride, and Nitrate Groundwater Contamination in Northern Mexico: Distribution, Health Impacts, and Emerging Research

Abstract

The plateaus of north-central Mexico have an arid to semiarid climate and groundwater naturally contaminated with inorganic arsenic (iAs) and fluoride (F). Like other arid and semiarid areas, this region faces great challenges to maintain a safe supply of drinking and irrigation water. Studies conducted in the past few decades on various locations within this region have reported groundwater iAs, F, and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), and either their source, enrichment processes, health risks, and/or potential water treatments. The relevant findings are analyzed and condensed here to provide an overview of the groundwater situation of the region. Studies identify volcanic rocks (rhyolite) and their weathering products (clays) as the main sources of iAs and F and report that these solutes become enriched through evaporation and residence time. In contrast, NO3-N is reported as anthropogenic, with the highest concentrations found in large urban centers and in agricultural and livestock farm areas. Health risks are high since the hot spots of contamination correspond to populated areas. Health problems associated with NO3-N in drinking water may be underestimated. Removal technologies of the contaminants remain at the laboratory or pilot stage, except for the reverse osmosis filtration units fitted to selected wells within the state of Chihuahua. A recent approach to supplying drinking water free of iAs and F to two urban centers consisted of switching from groundwater to surface water. Incipient research currently focuses on the potential repercussions of irrigating crops with As-rich water. The groundwater predicaments concerning contamination, public health impact, and irrigation suitability depicted here can be applied to semiarid areas worldwide.

Department(s)

School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.3390/w17131990

Keywords

arsenic, co-exposure, endorheic, fluoride, nitrate-nitrogen, semiarid

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Journal Title

Water Switzerland

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS