Dissolved fluoride in the Lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system in the Bengal Basin, Bangladesh

The dissolved fluoride (F⁻) in the Lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river system, Bengal basin, Bangladesh, was studied during 1991–1993 to determine its distribution and source in the basin, and its annual flux to the Bay of Bengal. The concentration of dissolved F⁻ varied between 2 and 11 μmol l⁻¹ with statistically significant variations both spatially and temporally in the basin. Such variations are attributable to the geology of the individual subbasins (Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna), dilution by rainwater during monsoon and groundwater contribution to the river systems during dry season. Correlation coefficients among F⁻ and major cations and anions suggest diverse inorganic processes responsible for regulating the concentration of F⁻ in these river systems. However, fluorite seems to be one of the major sources of dissolved F⁻. The concentration of F⁻ in the Lower GBM river system is low compared to the rivers draining Deccan Plateau and arid regions of the subcontinent, for example, Yamuna and its tributaries. However, it is within the range of most of the other Peninsular and Himalayan rivers. The GBM system contributes about 115×10³ tonnes year⁻¹ of dissolved F⁻ into the Bay of Bengal, and thus accounts for about 3% of the global F⁻ flux to the oceans annually. Received: 19 May 1999 · Accepted: 11 October 1999