Co-occurrence of uranium, fluoride and nitrate in Sahelian groundwater of Agadez (Niger) drives population health risks

A significant portion of Agadez's population in Niger faces chronic exposure to elevated levels of uranium, fluoride, and nitrate through untreated groundwater, posing substantial non-carcinogenic health risks. This study reveals that 77.3% of drinking water wells exceed WHO guidelines for these contaminants, with 86.4% presenting risks to children. Uranium and fluoride contamination are linked to geochemical processes in the Teloua Formation sandstones, while nitrate contamination is primarily anthropogenic. The research combines hydrochemical analysis, solute correlation, and saturation index calculations to identify distinct contaminant sources, highlighting a pressing public health concern with potential implications for the broader Sahel region.

Alhassane, I., Scheihing, K., Wannous, M., Tanimoun, B., Kringel, R., & Kraemer, D. (2026). Co-occurrence of uranium, fluoride and nitrate in Sahelian groundwater of Agadez (Niger) drives population health risks. Scientific Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-58969-y