Fluoride in Thermal Spring Water and in Plants of Nevada and Its Relationship to Fluorosis in Animals

Abstract

Fluoride concentrations in water from selected thermal springs and in plants were determined to evaluate their role as sources of F- for grazing animals in Nevada. The F- concentration in water varied with thermal spring sources and ranged from about 2 to 17 ppm. F- concentration in plants ranged from about 0.1 to over 220 ppm, depending upon species of plants and the soil on which the plants were grown. The F- concentration in plants from any given thermal spring location was not uniformly high, but together with F- concentration of the water, appears to contribute to possible cases of fluorosis in cattle. Although small area-wise the spring waters and the area they flow over are important to grazing animals, because they provide drinking water and have lush forage.