Abstract
The aim of the present study is to identify the geochemical processes responsible for higher fluoride (F–) content in the groundwater of the Yellareddigudem watershed located in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. The basement rocks in the study area comprise mainly of granites (pink and grey varieties), which contain F-bearing minerals (fluorite, biotite and hornblende). The results of the study area suggest that the groundwater is characterized by Na+: HCO facies. The F– content varies from 0.42 to 7.50 mg/L. In about 68% of the collected groundwater samples, the concentration of F– exceeds the national drinking water quality limit of 1.5 mg/L. The weathering of the granitic rocks causes the release of Na+ and HCO ions, which increase the solubility of ions. Ion exchange between Na+ and Ca2+, and precipitation of CaCO3 reduce the activity of Ca2+. This favours dissolution of CaF2 from the F-bearing minerals present in the host rocks, leading to a higher concentration of F– in the groundwater. The study further suggests that the spatial variation in the F– content appears to be caused by difference in the relative occurrence of F-bearing minerals, the degree of rockweathering and fracturing, the residence time of water in the aquifer materials and the associated geochemical processes. The study emphasizes the need for appropriate management measures to mitigate the effect of higher F groundwater on human health.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
APHA (2012 Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC, 1496p.
Apambire, W.B., Boyle, D.R. and Michel, F.A. (1997) Geochemistry, genesis and health implications of fluoriferous groundwaters in the upper regions of Ghana. Environ. Geol., v.33, pp.13–24.
Ayoob, S. and Gupta, A.K. (2006) Fluoride in drinking water: a review on the status and stress effects. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, v.36, pp.433–487.
Bis, (2012) Indian standard specifications for drinking water. IS:10500, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
Brindha, K., Rajesh, R., Murugan, R. and Elango, L. (2011) Fluoride contamination in groundwater in parts of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ. Monit. Assess., v.172, pp.481–492.
Drever, J.I. (1997) The geochemistry of natural waters. 3rd edn., Prentice Hall, Englewood, 436 p.
Edmunds, W.M. and Smedley, P.L. (2005) Fluoride in natural waters. In: Selinus, O. (Ed.). Essentials of Medical Geology, Elsevier Academic Press, London, pp.301–329.
Freeze, R.A. and Cherry, J.A. (1979) Groundwater. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 603p.
Genxu, W. and Guodong, C. (2001) Fluoride distribution in water and the governing factors of environment in arid north-west China. Jour. Arid Environ., v.49, pp.601–614.
Guo, Q., Wang, Y., Ma, T. and Ma, R. (2007) Geochemical processes controlling the elevated fluoride concentrations in groundwaters of the Taiyuan basin, Northern China. Jour. Geochem. Explor., v.93, pp.1–12.
Handa, B.K. (1975) Geochemistry and genesis of fluoridecontaining groundwaters in India. Ground Water, v.13, pp.275–281.
Hem, J.D. (1991) Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water. USGS Prof. Paper 2254, Scientific Publ., Jodhpur, India, 263p.
Jacks, G., Bhattacharya, P., Chaudhary, V. and Singh, K.P. (2005) Controls on the genesis of some high-fluoride groundwaters in India. Applied Geochemistry, v.20, pp.221–228.
Kundu, N., Panigrahi, M.K., Tripathy, S., Munshi, S., Powell, M.A. and Hart, B.R. (2001) Geochemical appraisal fluoride contamination of groundwater in Nayagarh District of Orissa, India. Environ. Geol., v.41, pp.451–460.
Madhnure, P., Sirsikar, D.Y., Tiwari, A.N., Ranjan, B. and Malpe, D.B. (2007) Occurrence of fluoride in the groundwaters of Pandharkawada area, Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, India. Curr. Sci., v.92, pp.675–679.
Meyback, M. (1987) Global chemical weathering of surficial rocks estimated from river-dissolved loads. Amer. Jour. Sci., v.287, pp.401–428.
Natarajan, V. and Murthy, S.R.N. (1974) Hydrogeochemical investigation for fluoride bearing minerals in Kangal and Halia river basin, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, Symposium on Fluorosis, Indian Academy of Geosciences, Hyderabad.
Natarajan, V. and Murthy, S.R.N. (1974) Fluorite bearing granites of Sivanagudem area, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. Symposium on Fluorosis, Indian Academy of Geosciences, Hyderabad
Nordstrom, D.K. and Jenne, E.A. (1977) Fluorite solubility equilibria in selected geothermal waters. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, v.41, pp.175–188.
Ramamohana Rao, N.V., Suryaprakasa Rao, K. and Schuiling, R.D. (1993) Fluorine distribution in waters of Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ. Geol., v.21, pp.84–89.
Ramesam, V. and Rajagopalan, K. (1985) Fluoride ingestion into the natural water of hardrock areas, Peninsular India. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.26, pp.125–132.
Raymahashay, B.C. (1996) Geochemistry of hydrologists. Allied Publishers, New Delhi
Reddy, D.V., Nagabhushanam, P., Sukhija, B.S., Reddy, A.G.S. and Smedley, P.L. (2010) Fluoride dynamics in the granitic aquifer of the Wailapally watershed, Nalgonda district, India. Chemical Geol., v.269, pp.278–289.
Sawyer, C.N. and Mccarty, P.L. (1967) Chemistry for sanitary engineers. 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 518 p.
Siddiqui, A.H. (1968) Fluorosis in Nalgonda district, Hyderabad, India. Fluoride, v.1-2, pp.76–85.
Stallard, R.F. and Edmond, J.M. (1983) Geochemistry of the Amazon River—the influence of the geology and weath-ering environment on the dissolved load. Jour. Geophys. Res., v.88, pp.9671–9688.
Stumm, W. and Moran, J.J. (1996) Aquatic chemistry. Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1022p.
Subba Rao, N. (2002) Geochemistry of Groundwater in Parts of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ. Geol., v.41, pp.552–562.
Subba Rao, N. (2003) Groundwater quality-focus on fluoride concentration in rural parts of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Hydrol. Sci. Jour., v.48, pp.835–847.
Subba Rao, N. (2009) Fluoride in groundwater, Varaha River Basin, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v.152, pp.47–60.
Subba Rao, N. (2011) High-fluoride groundwater. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v.176, pp.637–645.
Subba Rao, N. and John Devadas, D. (2003) Fluoride incidence in groundwater in an area of Peninsular India. Environ. Geol., v.45, pp.243–253.
Subba Rao, N., Prakasa Rao, J., Nagamalleswara Rao, B., Niranjan Babu, P., Madhusudhana Reddy, P. and John Devadas, D. (1998) A Preliminary report on fluoride content in groundwaters of Guntur Area, Andhra Pradesh, India. Curr. Sci., v.75, pp.887–888.
Subba Rao, N., Subrahmanyam, A. and Babu Rao, G. (2013) Fluoride-bearing groundwater in Gummanampadu Sub-basin, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environmental Earth Sci., v.70, pp.575–586.
Wedepohl, K.H. (1969) Handbook of geochemistry, Springer, Berlin.
Wodeyar, B.K. and Sreenivasan, G. (1996) Occurrence of fluoride in the groundwaters and its impact in Peddavankahalla Basin, Bellary District, Karnataka, India-a preliminary study. Curr. Sci., v.70, pp.71–74.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Subba Rao, N., Dinakar, A., Surya Rao, P. et al. Geochemical processes controlling fluoride-bearing groundwater in the granitic aquifer of a semi-arid region. J Geol Soc India 88, 350–356 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0497-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0497-3