TITLE:
Comparative Study of the Defluorination of Hyperfluorinated Groundwater from the Diohine Senegal Borehole by Activated Carbon Based on Filao Litter and Zircon
AUTHORS:
Alioune Ly, Rose Ganga Tine, Mouhamadou Masseck Fall, Ndiouga Camara, Anabilaye Moussa Coly, Diadioly Gassama
KEYWORDS:
Defluoridation, Groundwater, Fluoride, Activated Carbon, Filao Litter, Zircon, Diohine, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.16 No.11,
November
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: In Senegal, the existence of fluoride in groundwater is a major problem, particularly in the central zone. In these regions, Maastrichtian aquifers frequently have fluoride concentrations above recommended standards. These high fluoride levels cause health problems, particularly dental and bone health problems. This study focuses on defluoridation tests of hyperfluorinated Diohine Senegal groundwater using local adsorbents. The adsorbents used are activated carbon based on filao bedding and zircon. During the various tests, zircon and activated carbon columns based on filao bedding were used. Each of these columns was able to filter 500 mL of raw Diohine water with a fluoride concentration of 5.74 mg/L with a retention time of 10 mL/s. The results show that after treatment, zircon allowed a significant reduction in fluoride concentration, bringing it down to 1.84 mg/L for a reduction of approximately 67.9%. However, activated carbon reduced the concentration to 2.29 mg/L, with a reduction rate of 60.1%. The results obtained show that the effectiveness of zircon is slightly higher than that of carbon. These values, although significant, nevertheless remain higher than the WHO standard of 1.5 mg/L. Improvement could be possible with lowering the pH and increasing the retention time.