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Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
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Factors Affecting Solubility

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
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Acid Mine Drainage

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Calculating pH Changes in a Buffer Solution02:45

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Solubility Equilibria: Overview

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Global groundwater contamination by geogenic fluoride.

Shakir Ali1, Pratibha Mishra2, K Brindha3

  • 1Department of Civil Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa. shakiriitb@gmail.com.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health
|June 17, 2026
PubMed
Summary

High fluoride in groundwater is a global health risk, causing dental and skeletal issues. This review synthesizes global contamination, geochemistry, and highlights the need for accessible, safe drinking water solutions.

Keywords:
Chronic fluorosisDefluoridationFluorideGeogenic contaminationGlobal riskPublic healthWater–rock interactions

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Published on: October 21, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Geochemistry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Fluoride (F¯) is a widespread geogenic groundwater contaminant.
  • Elevated fluoride levels exceed safe limits (WHO: 1.5 mg L⁻¹), leading to dental and skeletal fluorosis.
  • Drinking water is the primary pathway for human exposure to excess fluoride.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the global incidence, distribution, and mobilization mechanisms of fluoride in groundwater.
  • To identify knowledge gaps in fluoride contamination worldwide.
  • To synthesize findings on contaminated aquifers, defluoridation methods, and safe water strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review using the PRISMA 2020 framework.
  • Review period: 1953–2025.
  • Synthesis of global data on fluoride occurrence, geochemistry, and mitigation.

Main Results:

  • Fluoride contamination is prevalent across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
  • Key drivers include fluorine-bearing minerals, high pH, Na-HCO₃ water types, and low calcium concentrations.
  • Hotspots include the East African Rift Valley, Indo-Gangetic plains, northern China, and volcanic regions; arid/semi-arid areas show higher levels.

Conclusions:

  • Despite extensive research, monitoring gaps and mitigation challenges persist, especially for vulnerable rural populations.
  • Scalable, cost-effective defluoridation solutions are crucial for providing safe drinking water.
  • Prioritizing vulnerable areas and communities is essential to address the global fluoride contamination issue.