Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

High-fluoride groundwater

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fluoride (F − ) is essential for normal bone growth, but its higher concentration in the drinking water poses great health problems and fluorosis is common in many parts of India. The present paper deals with the aim of establishment of facts of the chemical characteristics responsible for the higher concentration of F −  in the groundwater, after understanding the chemical behavior of F −  in relation to pH, total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), carbonate hardness (CH), non-carbonate hardness (NCH), and excess alkalinity (EA) in the groundwater observed from the known areas of endemic fluorosis zones of Andhra Pradesh that have abundant sources of F − -bearing minerals of the Precambrians. The chemical data of the groundwater shows that the pH increases with increase F − ; the concentration of TH is more than the concentration of TA at low F −  groundwater, the resulting water is represented by NCH; the TH has less concentration compared to TA at high F −  groundwater, causing the water that is characterized by EA; and the water of both low and high concentrations of F −  has CH. As a result, the F −  has a positive relation with pH and TA, and a negative relation with TH. The operating mechanism derived from these observations is that the F −  is released from the source into the groundwater by geochemical reactions and that the groundwater in its flowpath is subjected to evapotranspiration due to the influence of dry climate, which accelerates a precipitation of CaCO3 and a reduction of TH, and thereby a dissolution of F − . Furthermore, the EA in the water activates the alkalinity in the areas of alkaline soils, leading to enrichment of F − . Therefore, the alkaline condition, with high pH and EA, and low TH, is a more conducive environment for the higher concentration of F −  in the groundwater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amini, M., Muller, K., Abbaspour, K. C., Rosenberg, T., Afyuni, M., Moller, K. N., et al. (2008). Statistical modeling of global geogenic fluoride contamination in groundwaters. Environmental Science and Technology, 42, 3662–3668.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Apambire, W. B., Boyle, D. R., & Michel, F. A. (1997). Geochemistry, genesis, and health implications of fluoriferous groundwaters in the upper regions of Ghana. Environmental Geology, 33, 13–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (1992). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (pp. 326). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athavale, R. N., & Das, R. K. (1999). Beware! fluorosis is zeroing in on you. Down to Earth, 8, 24–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayoob, S., & Gupta, A. K. (2006). Fluoride in drinking water: A review on the status and stress effects. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 36, 433–487.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chae, G. T., Yuna, S. T., Mayer, B., Kima, K. H., Kim, S. Y., Kwon, J. S., et al. (2007). Fluorine geochemistry in bedrock groundwater of South Korea. Science of Total Environment, 385, 272–283.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborti, D., Chanda, C. R., Samanta, G., Chowdhury, U. K., Mukherjel, S. C., Pal, A. B., et al. (2000). Fluorosis in Assam, India. Current Science, 78, 1421–1423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow, V. T. (1974). Handbook of applied hydrology. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmunds, M., & Smedley, P. (2005). Chapter 12: Fluoride in natural waters. In O. Selnius, B. Alloway, J. A. Centeno, R. B. Finkleman, R. Fuge, U. Lindh, et al. (Eds.), Essentials of medical geology—Impacts of the natural environment on public health. Amsterdam: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuhong, R., & Shuqin, J. (1988). Distribution and formation of high fluorine groundwater in China. Environmental Geology and Water Science, 12, 3–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaciri, S. J., & Ad Davis, T. C. (1993). The occurrence and geochemistry of fluoride in some natural waters of Kenya. Journal of Hydrology, 143, 395–412.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. C., Doshi, C. S., & Paliwal, B. L. (1986). Occurrence and chemistry of high fluoride groundwater in Jalore District of Western Rajasthan. Annals of Arid Zone, 25, 255–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. K., & Deshpande, R. D. (2003). High fluoride in groundwater of north Gujarat-Cambay Region—Origin, community perception and remediation. In V. P. Singh & R. N. Yadava (Eds.), Groundwater pollution. New Delhi: Allied Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. K., Deshpande, R. D., Agarwal, M. & Raval, B. R. (2005). Origin of high fluoride in groundwater in the North Gujarat-Cambay region, India. Hydrogeology Journal, 13, 596–605.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Handa, B. K. (1975). Geochemistry and genesis of fluoride containing groundwater in India. Ground Water, 13, 275–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hem, J. D. (1991). Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water. USGS Water Supply Paper 2254. India: Scientific Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISI (1963). Indian standard methods of sampling and tests (physical and chemical) for water used in industry. India: Indian Standards Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISI (1983). Indian standard specification for drinking water. India: Indian Standards Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacks, G., Bhattacharya, P., Chaudhary, V., & Singh, K. P. (2005). Controls on the genesis of some high-fluoride groundwaters in India. Applied Geochemistry, 20, 221–228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jacks, G., Rajagopalan, K., Alveteg, T., & Johnsson, M. (1993). Genesis of high-F groundwaters, Southern India. Applied Geochemistry (Supplementary), 2, 241–244.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jain, C. K. (2005). Fluoride contamination in groundwater. In J. Lehr, J. Keeley & J. J. Lehr (Eds.), Water encyclopedia. New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • John Devadas, D. (1998). Occurrence and geochemistry of fluoride in groundwaters of a typical drought prone area of Andhra Pradesh, India. Ph.D. thesis, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.

  • Kim, K., & Jeong, G. Y. (2005). Factors influencing natural occurrence of fluoride-rich groundwaters: A case study in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. Chemosphere, 58, 1399–1408.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muralidharan, D., Nair, A. P., & Satyanarayana, U. (2002). Fluoride in shallow aquifers in Rajgarh Tehsil of Churu District, Rajasthan—An arid environment. Current Science, 83, 699–702.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nordstrom, D. K., & Jenne, E. A. (1977). Fluorite solubility equilibria in selected geothermal waters. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 41, 175–188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pillai, K. S., & Stanley, V. A. (2002). Implications of fluoride—An endless uncertainty. Journal of Environmental Biology, 23, 81–97.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramamohana Rao, N. V., Suryaprakasa Rao, K., & Schuiling, R. D. (1993). Fluorine distribution in waters of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environmental Geology, 21, 84–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramesam, V., & Rajagopalan, K. (1985). Fluoride ingestion into the natural waters of hard-rock areas, Peninsular India. Journal of Geological Society of India, 26, 125–132.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, V. K., & Ahmed, S. (2001). Dissolution of fluoride in groundwater: A water-rock interaction study. Environmental Geology, 40, 1084–1087.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, V. K., & Ahmed, S. (2003). Inferring the chemical parameters for the dissolution of fluoride in groundwater. Environmental Geology, 43, 731–736.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao, N. (1984). Hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of Visakhapatnam urban area, Andhra Pradesh, India. Ph.D. thesis submitted to Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.

  • Subba Rao, N. (2003). Groundwater quality: Focus on fluoride concentration in rural parts of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 48, 835–847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao, N. (2009). Fluoride in groundwater, Varaha river basin, Visakhapatnam district, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 152, 47–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao, N., & John Devadas, D. (2003). Fluoride incidence in groundwater in an area of Peninsular India. Environmental Geology, 45, 243–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao, N., Prakasa Rao, J., Nagamalleswara Rao, B., Niranjan Babu, P., Madhusudhana Reddy, P., & John Devadas, D. (1998). A preliminary report on fluoride content in groundwaters of Guntur Area, Andhra Pradesh, India. Current Science, 75, 887–888.

    Google Scholar 

  • Susheela, A. K. (1999). Fluorosis management programme in India. Current Science, 77, 1250–1256.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1984). Guidelines for drinking water quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wodeyar, B. K., & Sreenivasan, G. (1996). Occurrence of fluoride in the groundwaters and its impact in Pedda Vankahalla basin, Bellary District, Karnataka—A preliminary study. Current Science, 70, 71–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 530 003, India

    N. Subba Rao

Authors
  1. N. Subba Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Subba Rao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Subba Rao, N. High-fluoride groundwater. Environ Monit Assess 176, 637–645 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1609-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1609-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation