Predicting regional fluoride concentrations at public and domestic supply depths in basin-fill aquifers of the western United States using a random forest model
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Random forest regression model and prediction rasters of fluoride in groundwater in basin-fill aquifers of western United States
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
A random forest regression (RFR) model was applied to over 12,000 wells with measured fluoride (F) concentrations in untreated groundwater to predict F concentrations at depths used for domestic and public supply in basin-fill aquifers of the western United States. The model relied on twenty-two regional-scale environmental and surficial predictor variables selected to represent factors known to control F concentrations in groundwater. The testing model fit R2 and RMSE were 0.52 and 0.78 mg/L. Comparisons of measured to predicted proportions of four F-concentrations categories (<0.7 mg/L, 0.7–2 mg/L, >2 mg/L – 4 mg/L, and > 4 mg/L) indicate that the model performed well at making regional-scale predictions. Differences between measured and predicted proportions indicate underprediction of measured F at values by between 4 and 20 mg/L, representing less than 1% of the regional scale predicted values. These residuals most often map to geographic regions where local-scale processes including evaporative discharge in closed basins or intermittent streams concentrate fluoride in shallow groundwater. Despite this, the RFR model provides spatially continuous F predictions across the basin-fill aquifers where discrete samples are missing. Further, the predictions capture documented areas that exceed the F maximum contaminant level for drinking water of 4 mg/L and areas that are below the oral-health benchmark of 0.7 mg/L. These predictions can be used to estimate fluoride concentrations in unmonitored areas and to aid in identifying geographic areas that may require further investigation at localized scales.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Predicting regional fluoride concentrations at public and domestic supply depths in basin-fill aquifers of the western United States using a random forest model |
| Series title | Science of the Total Environment |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150960 |
| Volume | 806 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Massachusetts Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center |
| Description | 150960, 13 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah |