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Investigation of fluoride contamination and its mobility in groundwater of Simlapal block of Bankura district, West Bengal, India

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Abstract

The occurrence of dental/skeletal fluorosis among the people in the study area provided the motivation to assess the distribution, severity and impact of fluoride contamination in groundwater of Bankura district at Simlapal block, West Bengal, India. To meet the desired objective, groundwater samples were collected from different locations of Laxmisagar, Machatora and Kusumkanali regions of Simlapal block at different depths of tube wells in both pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Geochemical results reveal that the groundwaters are mostly moderate- to hard-water type. Of total groundwater samples, 37% are situated mainly in relatively higher elevated region containing fluoride above 1.5 mg/L, indicating that host aquifers are severely affected by fluoride contamination. Machatora region is highly affected by fluoride contamination with maximum elevated concentration of 12.2 mg/L. Several symptoms of fluorosis among the different age-groups of people in Laxmisagar and Machatora areas are indicating consumption of fluoridated water for prolonged period. The groundwater samples were mainly Na–Ca–HCO3 type and rock dominance indicating the dissolution of minerals taking place. Ion exchange between OH− ion and F− ion present in fluoride-bearing mineral is the most dominant mechanism of fluoride leaching. High concentration of Na+ and HCO3 − increases the alkalinity of the water, providing a favorable condition for fluoride to leach into groundwater from its host rocks and minerals.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, for providing infrastructure. We are thankful to all faculty members, staff members and student of the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, NIT, Durgapur, for the endless support. We are also thankful to the villagers, lived in the study area, for their valuable help during sampling.

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  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, Mahatma Gandhi Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India

    Sandip Mondal & Subodh Kumar

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  1. Sandip Mondal
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Correspondence to Sandip Mondal.

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Mondal, S., Kumar, S. Investigation of fluoride contamination and its mobility in groundwater of Simlapal block of Bankura district, West Bengal, India. Environ Earth Sci 76, 778 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-7122-7

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