Preliminary Investigations of Fluoride Content in the Water of Three Main Lakes in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the F– content in the water of three main lakes in the Republicof Macedonia. The estimation of F-concentration was performed using a special ion-Analyzer Model EA 920produced by ORION, and a special ion-selective F-electrode. The results were as follows: the water from lakes Dojran,Ohrid and Prespa contained 5.6 ppm F–, 0.08 ppmF– and 0.15 ppmF– respectively. High value on F– concentrationin Dojran Lake could be attributed to it’s tectonic genesis and supplying with water courses from mountain ofBelasica, which contains granitic rocks, characterized as very rich in fluorides mainly fluorite (CaF2), such as distributionof zooplankton, phytoplankton, higher aquatic plants. Also the high value on F concentration may be a resultof under enormous anthropogenic influences derived from tourism and agricultural practices in the catchment area ofthe lake.