Fluorine and metal enrichment of soils and pasture herbage in the old mining areas of Derbyshire, UK

Mining for lead, and more recently fluorspar, in the Peak District area of Derbyshire, UK, has resulted in extensive contamination of agricultural land with lead, zinc and fluorine. In this study the content of fluorine, determined as the fluoride ion, and other elements in soils along three traverses across the area, and at sites on seven farms, were determined. In addition, the seasonal variation in the content of fluorine and other elements in the pasture herbage on the farm sites was investigated. Some health problems affecting young lambs in spring have in the past been attributed to lead toxicity, but it is possible that excess fluorine in the diet may contribute to these symptoms. The agricultural significance of the concentrations of fluorine encountered, and possible antagonistic interactions between elements within the diet on the metabolism of livestock in the area studied, are discussed.