‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi
Hidden hot springs likely impact rural water supplies in Malawi’s Rift Valley with excess dissolved fluoride leading to localised endemic severe dental fluorosis. Predicting their occurrence is a challenge; Malawi’s groundwater data archive is sporadic and incomplete which prevents the application o...
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doaj-95bcb5ad20394daaa297dcb10019427c2021-04-17T23:01:07ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412021-04-01131106110610.3390/w13081106‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in MalawiMarc J. Addison0Michael O. Rivett1Owen L. Phiri2Nigel Milne3Vicky Milne4Alex D McMahon5Lorna MD Macpherson6Jeremy Bagg7David I Conway8Peaches Phiri9Emma Mbalame10Innocent Manda11Robert M. Kalin12Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, Scotland, UKDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, Scotland, UKCentral Water Laboratory, Lilongwe P.O. Box 458, MalawiSmileawi, The Hollies Dental Practice, 143 Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8AW, Scotland, UKSmileawi, The Hollies Dental Practice, 143 Alexandra Parade, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8AW, Scotland, UKDental School, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, Scotland, UKDental School, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, Scotland, UKDental School, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, Scotland, UKDental School, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, Scotland, UKWater Resources and Supply Department, The Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe 3, MalawiWater Resources and Supply Department, The Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe 3, MalawiWater Resources and Supply Department, The Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Government of Malawi, Private Bag 390, Lilongwe 3, MalawiDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XJ, Scotland, UKHidden hot springs likely impact rural water supplies in Malawi’s Rift Valley with excess dissolved fluoride leading to localised endemic severe dental fluorosis. Predicting their occurrence is a challenge; Malawi’s groundwater data archive is sporadic and incomplete which prevents the application of standard modelling techniques. A creative alternative method to predict hidden hot spring locations was developed using a synthesis of proxy indicators (geological, geochemical, dental) and is shown to be at least 75% effective. An exciting collaboration between geoscientists and dentists allowed corroboration of severe dental fluorosis with hydrogeological vulnerability. Thirteen hidden hot springs were identified based on synthesised proxy indicators. A vulnerability prediction map for the region was developed and is the first of its kind in Malawi. It allows improved groundwater fluoride prediction in Malawi’s rift basin which hosts the majority of hot springs. Moreover, it allows dentists to recognise geological control over community oral health. Collaborative efforts have proven mutually beneficial, allowing both disciplines to conduct targeted research to improve community wellbeing and health and inform policy development in their respective areas. This work contributes globally in developing nations where incomplete groundwater data and vulnerability to groundwater contamination from hydrothermal fluoride exist in tandem.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/8/1106fluoridegroundwater supplyhot springsoral healthdental fluorosishuman health risk |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Marc J. Addison Michael O. Rivett Owen L. Phiri Nigel Milne Vicky Milne Alex D McMahon Lorna MD Macpherson Jeremy Bagg David I Conway Peaches Phiri Emma Mbalame Innocent Manda Robert M. Kalin |
spellingShingle |
Marc J. Addison Michael O. Rivett Owen L. Phiri Nigel Milne Vicky Milne Alex D McMahon Lorna MD Macpherson Jeremy Bagg David I Conway Peaches Phiri Emma Mbalame Innocent Manda Robert M. Kalin ‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi Water fluoride groundwater supply hot springs oral health dental fluorosis human health risk |
author_facet |
Marc J. Addison Michael O. Rivett Owen L. Phiri Nigel Milne Vicky Milne Alex D McMahon Lorna MD Macpherson Jeremy Bagg David I Conway Peaches Phiri Emma Mbalame Innocent Manda Robert M. Kalin |
author_sort |
Marc J. Addison |
title |
‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi |
title_short |
‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi |
title_full |
‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi |
title_fullStr |
‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi |
title_full_unstemmed |
‘Hidden Hot Springs’ as a Source of Groundwater Fluoride and Severe Dental Fluorosis in Malawi |
title_sort |
‘hidden hot springs’ as a source of groundwater fluoride and severe dental fluorosis in malawi |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Water |
issn |
2073-4441 |
publishDate |
2021-04-01 |
description |
Hidden hot springs likely impact rural water supplies in Malawi’s Rift Valley with excess dissolved fluoride leading to localised endemic severe dental fluorosis. Predicting their occurrence is a challenge; Malawi’s groundwater data archive is sporadic and incomplete which prevents the application of standard modelling techniques. A creative alternative method to predict hidden hot spring locations was developed using a synthesis of proxy indicators (geological, geochemical, dental) and is shown to be at least 75% effective. An exciting collaboration between geoscientists and dentists allowed corroboration of severe dental fluorosis with hydrogeological vulnerability. Thirteen hidden hot springs were identified based on synthesised proxy indicators. A vulnerability prediction map for the region was developed and is the first of its kind in Malawi. It allows improved groundwater fluoride prediction in Malawi’s rift basin which hosts the majority of hot springs. Moreover, it allows dentists to recognise geological control over community oral health. Collaborative efforts have proven mutually beneficial, allowing both disciplines to conduct targeted research to improve community wellbeing and health and inform policy development in their respective areas. This work contributes globally in developing nations where incomplete groundwater data and vulnerability to groundwater contamination from hydrothermal fluoride exist in tandem. |
topic |
fluoride groundwater supply hot springs oral health dental fluorosis human health risk |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/8/1106 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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