Geochemical processes regulating groundwater chemistry with special reference to nitrate and fluoride enrichment in Chhatarpur area, Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study focuses on the hydrogeochemical composition of groundwater in Chhatarpur area with special focus on nitrate and fluoride contamination, considering the fact that groundwater is the only major source of drinking water here. Carbonate and silicate mineral weathering followed by ground water–surface water interactions, ion exchange and anthropogenic activities are mainly responsible for high concentrations of cations and anions in the groundwater in the region. The average concentration of nitrate and fluoride found in 27 samples is 1.08 and 61.4 mg/L, respectively. Nitrate enrichment mainly occurs in areas occupied with intense fertilizer practice in agricultural fields. Since the area is not dominated by industrialization, the possibility of anthropogenic input of fluoride is almost negligible, thus the enrichment of fluoride in groundwater is only possible due to rock–water interaction. The highly alkaline conditions, which favor the fluorite dissolution, are the main process responsible for high concentration of fluoride.     

Hydrogeochemical processes controlling fluoride enrichment within alluvial and hard rock aquifers in a part of a semi-arid region of Northern India

Rock–water interaction along with mineral dissolution/ precipitation plays a profound role in the control of fluoride ion concentration within the alluvial groundwater in a part of semi-arid northern India. In the premonsoon season, the alluvial region experiences evaporative processes leading to increase in Na⁺ ions which through reverse ion exchange processes are adsorbed onto suitable sites within the aquifer matrix in exchange for Ca²⁺ ion in solution. Increase in Ca²⁺ ions in solution inhibits fluorite mineral dissolution, thereby controlling premonsoon fluoride ion concentration within alluvial groundwaters (1.40?±?0.5 mg/l). In the postmonsoon season, however, higher average fluoride ion concentration within the alluvial aquifer samples (2.33?±?0.80 mg/l) is observed mainly due to increase in silicate weathering of fluoride-bearing rocks and direct ion exchange processes enabling Ca²⁺ ion uptake from solution accompanied with the release of fluoride ions. Combined effect of these processes results in average fluoride ion concentration falling above the WHO drinking water permissible limit (1.5 mg/l). Alternatively, the hard rock aquifer samples within the study area have an average fluoride ion concentration falling below the permissible limit in both the seasons.     

Occurrence and distribution of fluoride in the groundwater of the Tamiraparani River basin,South India: a geostatistical modeling approach

Fluoride in drinking water has both beneficial and detrimental effects on public health, and a narrow range between .6 and 1.5 mg/L is optimal for consumption. However, natural groundwater sources exceed these guidelines affecting the entire population. This study aims to assess the distribution and controlling factors of fluoride concentration in the Tamiraparani River basin, South India. A total of 124 groundwater samples were analyzed for their fluoride content and other hydrogeochemical parameters. The fluoride concentration in the study area varied from .01 to 1.67 mg/L, and the highest concentrations were measured in the northern and central parts of the study area, which is underlain by charnockites and hornblende biotite gneiss. The sampling indicated (as per the Bureau of Indian Standards) that 53.9% of the area has fluoride concentrations below levels that are protective of teeth from dental caries (<.6 mg/L). .1% of the area is considered to be at risk of dental fluorosis, and the remaining 46% of the area is considered to have fluoride levels at desirable to permissible limit in groundwater. The groundwater in the study area belongs to Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ and Ca–Mg–HCO₃ types. A positive correlation between fluoride and TDS, Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃ ^? indicates its geogenic origin, and positive loading between pH and fluoride shows that alkaline environment enhances the dissolution of fluoride-bearing minerals into the groundwater. An empirical Bayesian kriging model was applied to interpolate the fluoride concentration in the study area. This geostatistical model is found to be better than other kriging methods, and it yielded an average standard error of .332 and root-mean-square standardized value of .986.     

Hydrochemical classification and multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater from Wadi Sahba area in central Saudi Arabia

The central region of Saudi Arabia is underlain by thick sedimentary formations belonging to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic era. These sedimentary formations form a prolific aquifer supplying groundwater for agricultural and domestic usage in and around Riyadh. The region south of Riyadh City is well known for agricultural activities. Wadi Sahba, which is an eastward extension of Wadi Nisah, has readily available groundwater resources in the Cretaceous Biyadh sandstone aquifer to sustain agricultural activities. The objective of the present study was the hydrochemical assessment of groundwater in the area to understand the main hydrological processes which influence groundwater chemistry. To achieve this objective, 20 groundwater samples were collected from agricultural farms in the Wadi Sahba in central Saudi Arabia, and the major physiochemical constituents were analyzed and interpreted. The average TDS value of the analyzed samples is 1578.05 mg/l, whereas the average EC concentration is 3220.05 μS/cm. Groundwater facies classification inferred from the Piper plot shows that groundwater in the study area belongs to the Ca-SO₄-Cl type and Ca-Na-SO₄-Cl type. The Ca-SO₄-Cl type of groundwater facies is influenced mainly by gypsum dissolution and base ion exchange, whereas the Ca-Na-SO₄-Cl type is influenced by gypsum and halite dissolution. All the groundwater samples are undersaturated with respect to these two principal mineral phases. The Q-mode cluster analysis results in two main groups of groundwater samples, mainly based on the TDS content. Cluster 1 has an average TDS value of 1980 mg/l, whereas cluster 2 has an average TDS of 1176 mg/l. The groundwater facies identified through the Piper plot reflects the major hydrological processes controlling groundwater chemistry in the area and was found to be more useful in this study as compared to cluster analysis.     

Fluoride in Quaternary groundwater aquifer,Nile Valley,Luxor, Egypt

The occurrence of fluoride in ground water is the focus of the public and has attracted the attention of many scientists all over the world due to its importance in public health. Deficiency or increase of fluoride uptake is considered a public health problem due to the narrow permissible limit which should not exceed 1.5 mg/l according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The range of fluoride tolerance and toxicity is narrow. Deviation from the optimal levels therefore results in dental health effects such as caries and fluorosis. Many studies have found fluorosis to be invariably associated with high concentrations of fluoride in drinking water. Fluorosis is a considerable health problem in many areas of the world including Brazil, China, East Africa, Ghana, India, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, southeastern Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, and Turkey. Fluoride in groundwater of Quaternary aquifer of the Nile Valley, Egypt, does not gain the attention of the authors in the Nile Valley which makes the public health status of fluoride is not certain. The present work aims at investigating the fluoride concentration of Quaternary groundwater aquifer at Luxor as a representative area of the Nile Valley to be a base line for subsequent studies and criteria for public health. Ground water samples were collected from Quaternary groundwater aquifer at Luxor area, Egypt and analyzed for the purpose of investigating fluoride content. The results showed that fluoride concentration in the study area ranges between 0.113 and 0.452 with an average of 0.242 mg/l. Sources of fluoride in the study area can result from the natural dissolution from fluoride-rich minerals, fertilizers and from groundwater recharge. It is worth mentioning that low fluoride content in the study area is considered a public health threat specially limited growth, fertility, and dental caries. Corrective measures should be taken to avoid the public health impacts of fluoride deficiency at Luxor area as well as similar areas in the Nile Valley. A public health program should be initiated to account for the deficiency of fluoride in groundwater and deal with the other supplementary fluoride sources in food or fluoridation of drinking water supplies.     

Assessment and geospatial distribution mapping of fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of Al-Howban Basin,Taiz-Yemen

Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources of drinking water on the earth planet. In rural areas of Yemen, groundwater is the main resource for drinking as well as for domestic purposes. According to the World Health Organization, one of the most important elements that has to be found in drinking water is fluorine (fluoride) but within the range of concentration of 0.5 up to 1.5 mg/l. Otherwise, any concentration of fluoride out of that range may cause serious diseases in human’s body such as fluorosis, kidney chronic disease, and/or nephrotoxicity. Taiz City, the third important and largest city in Yemen, has been suffering from dental fluorosis for a few decades. The main resource for drinking water in this city and adjacent areas is Al-Howban Basin (the study area) from where 33 groundwater samples were collected from 33 stations. These samples were preserved and then chemically analyzed according to the American Public Health Association Standards. The results reflected high levels of fluoride concentrations up to 3.6 mg/l in groundwater of many stations. GIS mapping was used to produce a geospatial distribution map of fluoride concentrations using ArcGIS-inverse distance weighted (IDW) tool. As a result, three zones of risks were identified in the study area: mild risk zone which covers the major part of the study area, moderate risk zone, and zone of no risk (optimum level zone). The last two zones occupy small portions of the study area. Consequently, dental and skeletal fluorosis, kidney, and/or nephrotoxic diseases are highly expected to be detected in the study area. Groundwater treatment measurements and health precautions are strongly recommended to be taken by local authorities in the near future.     

Environmental assessment of soil,groundwater, and surface water quality in the south of the Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

To understand the impact of the influence of treated wastewater, a study was undertaken in the downstream side of Wadi Hanifa in the southern part of Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. Chemical elements from 17 groundwater samples, 9 surface water samples (treated wastewater), and 14 soil samples were analyzed. Water facies analyses showed that both groundwater and surface water belong to the SO₄-Cl class. However, the groundwater is characterized by high salinity (average value of 3547 mg/l), which may be result of the greater rock-water interaction and limited rainfall recharge. The NO₃ values are also high in the groundwater samples (average value of 40 mg/l) and are mainly attributed to the agricultural practices in the study area. The surface water samples (treated wastewater from the plant) shows an average salinity value of 1232 mg/l and is better suited for irrigation purposes. Heavy elements analyzed in the soil samples show high concentrations of all the elements except Mn and Ni as compared to their background concentration. Enrichment factor and index of geoaccumulation calculated from the soil samples indicate that they are severely enriched with respect to Cd and Se. The spatial distribution maps were prepared based on kriging interpolation technique to estimate the concentrations of the analyzed elements at unknown locations. The treated wastewater in the study area is better suited for agricultural and domestic activities as compared to groundwater.     

Principal component and multivariate statistical approach for evaluation of hydrochemical characterization of fluoride-rich groundwater of Shaslar Vagu watershed,Nalgonda District,India

In order to assess the impact of fluoride-rich groundwater of Shasilair Vagu watershed on groundwater regime, more than hundred groundwater samples for pre- and post-monsoon seasons were collected from bore wells/dug wells and analyzed for major ions. Water quality analysis of major ion chemistry shows elevated concentration of fluoride in groundwater samples. The fluoride concentration ranges from 1.4 to 5.9 mg/l and 1.5 to 5.8 mg/l in pre- and post-monsoons, respectively. The result clearly shows that the seasonal variation of fluoride in groundwater is due to recharge of rain water during monsoon. The water quality data was analyzed by hydrochemical facies (Piper diagram), Gibbs plot, and various plots. Plots of Na versus Cl, Ca versus SO₄, and (Na+Cl)-(SO₄+HCO₃) versus (Na+K-Cl) shows positive and negative values, indicating that their source of high concentration are aquifer, evapotranpiration, and other anthropogenic sources. Saturation index of halite and gypsum shows that all groundwater samples were undersaturated and suggests that carbonate minerals influence the concentration. Using multivariate statistical techniques, viz., principal component (factor analysis and cluster analysis), the analysis brought out impact of intensity of excess use of fertilizers and excess withdrawal of groundwater regime. Multivariate statistical techniques are potential tools and provide greater precision for identifying contaminant parameter linkages.     

Morphological Dynamics of the Rivers of Brahmaputra

The Singrauli region is known for fluoride contamination and its effect on human population. In this work the possible sources of fluoride contamination in Rihand reservoir water is constrained. They include slurry water, fly ash and coal samples of various thermal power plants, coal seams and granites of the region. Petrographic study depicted the presence of fluoride bearing minerals - flour apatite in pink granite. Preliminary scanning electron microscope studies revealed presence of fluorine peak in coal samples. The chemical analysis confirmed the presence of fluoride in fly ash (12.6 mg/kg), drain water (5.34 mg/l), soil (6.1 mg/kg), coal (3.1 mg/kg). They confirmed the source of fluoride from coal of thermal power plant which utilized coal from Singrauli coal seam (1.6 mg/kg). Further the Rihand reservoir water is also enriched by fluoride contaminant (upto 4.7 mg/l). This contaminates groundwater of the area as well. The contaminated water used for drinking and agriculture affects health of inhabitants in the area. It is concluded that the main source of fluoride contamination in the study area is due to coal burnt in thermal power plant and pink granite formation of the area, both anthropogenic and geogenic sources are implied.     

An appraisal of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in southern part of Bathinda district of Punjab, northwest India

Groundwater is being used for drinking and irrigation purposes in the agricultural dominated Indian state of Punjab. Fifty-six groundwater samples were collected from Bathinda, a south-western district of Punjab, during the pre-monsoon (March 2010) and post-monsoon (October 2011) seasons. These samples were tested for major cations, anions and contaminants. Various classification systems were used to study the groundwater quality with respect to drinking as well as irrigation purposes. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and total hardness (TH) are generally used to determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking purpose. Considering TDS as a parameter, 54 and 57 % groundwater samples were found to be unsuitable for use during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. A wide range of TH values were observed in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon waters samples (mean 250 and 270 mgL^?1). About 75 % of pre-monsoon and 79 % of post-monsoon samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) of TH (150 mg L^?1) proposed by WHO. In terms of contaminant ions, 40 % and 55 % of the pre- and post-monsoon water samples were unfit for drinking purposes w.r.t. fluoride (MPL 1.5 mg F L^?1), 29 and 36 % were unfit w.r.t arsenic (MPL 10 μg L^?1) and 33 and 45 % were unfit w.r.t nitrate (MPL 45 mg NO₃ ^? L^?1), respectively. To determine the suitability of groundwater of Bathinda for irrigation purpose, three classification systems proposed by different research workers were used. The parameters electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio, and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) were calculated on the basis of chemical data. Considering EC and RSC together, 32 % samples collected during pre-monsoon season were fit, 19 % were marginal and 49 % were unfit for use. However, during post-monsoon, samples fit for irrigation decreased to 17 % and samples unfit for irrigation increased to 70 %. Increases in the percentage of unfit samples for irrigation after monsoon indicates addition of salts along with the rain water percolated into the groundwater. The other two classification systems, i.e. US Salinity diagram and Wilcox diagram also showed the similar results.     

Geochemical assessment of groundwater contamination with special emphasizes on fluoride,a case study from Midyan Basin,northwestern Saudi Arabia

Water samples for chemical analyses were collected in January 2012. A total of 72 samples of groundwater were collected from 72 boreholes in the Midyan Basin, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Samples were collected in polyethylene bottles and preserved and the used analytical techniques were in accordance with the standard methods from American public health association. Geochemical analyses of the groundwater samples from Midyan Basin reveal the concentration of fluoride (F) between 0.98 and 2.1 mg/l. Other parameters, e.g, pH, EC, TDS, HCO₃, SO₄, NO₃, Cl, K, Na, Mg, and Ca have been found in a variable proportion. Among them, the concentration of EC, HCO₃, K, Na and Mg is higher than the permissible limits. According to thermodynamical considerations, most of the analysed samples are graded under-saturated with respect to calcite and fluoride, while saturation has been observed in some samples. The under-saturation could probably be attributed to low concentration of calcite and fluoride in the studied wells. Fluoride concentration shows weak positive correlation with EC, TDS, Na, Cl, and SO₄. Factors controlling the concentration of fluoride (F) in the studied samples are the area climate, water chemistry and the presence of accessory minerals in the rocks through which groundwater is circulating, besides the anthropogenic activities in the area.     

Hydrogeophysical investigations on the Pleistocene aquifer,Kom Hamada area,West Nile Delta,Egypt

Hydrogeophysical investigations of the Pleistocene aquifer at the Kom Hamada area, Egypt, have been conducted to determine the characteristics of groundwater. The main water-bearing formations in the study area are composed of Quaternary deposits. Water samples were taken and chemically analyzed at 29 sites. The constructed iso-salinity contour map of the study area showed an increase in salinity from 451.75 mg/l at eastern parts to 1,091.85 mg/l at western parts. The groundwater of the study area showed a hydrochemical evolution from Ca–HCO₃ at the eastern side to Na–Cl at the western side. Some of groundwater constituents have high concentration values exceeding the safe limit for drinking. Eighteen vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted in the study area. These soundings were conducted near existing wells to obtain layer parameters of the various penetrated layers and to calculate the petrophysical characteristics of the aquifers. The resistivity of the first water-bearing layer ranges between 34 and 47 Ω m. The thickness of this layer ranges between 26 and 79 m. This layer represents the first aquifer, where it is followed by another water-bearing layer with resistivity ranges between 29 and 62 Ω m and extends downward. The two aquifers are hydraulically connected. Variation of the resistivities of these two water-bearing layers is mainly due to the lithological variation. The resistivity values along with the TDS values of the two water-bearing layers indicate fresh to brackish water types.     

Assessment of the factors controlling groundwater quality in a coastal aquifer adjacent to the Bay of Bengal,India

A study has been conducted in the heavily populated coastal areas of the Puri district (Odisha, India) with the aim to: (1) identify the factors that influence the major ion composition and concentrations of trace elements in groundwater; (2) determine the spatial distribution of the water-quality parameters and how they vary on a seasonal basis. To do this, groundwater samples were collected from 60 shallow tube wells located along the Puri coast during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Based on their TDS content, 52% of the collected groundwater samples were identified as being brackish-to-saline and unsuitable for drinking purposes in both the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Significant concentrations of trace elements including Ba, Br, F, Fe, Mn, and Sr were detected in most of the samples. Iron concentrations were found to be higher than the WHO drinking water guideline value (0.3 mg/l) in 92% of the samples irrespective of seasons. Elevated Mn concentrations were observed in 37% and 40% of samples during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. In addition, fluoride concentrations in excess of the WHO limit (1.5 mg/l) were found in 15% of samples during the pre-monsoon and 23% of samples during the post-monsoon season. The concentrations of major and trace elements show wide spatial and minor temporal variations. Large spatial and limited temporal variations in Cl and Na concentrations along with considerable Br and Sr concentrations in groundwater suggest that saltwater intrusion is the dominant process controlling groundwater quality in the study area, although other processes including ion exchange, the precipitation and dissolution of minerals, microbial activity, and the weathering of aquifer material also play roles to some extent in determining the spatial and seasonal distribution of the major and trace elements in coastal groundwater. Grouping of various water-quality parameters related to these processes by principal component analysis and their linking to one cluster in the hierarchical cluster analysis further supports the view that these processes control the groundwater chemistry in the coastal aquifer.     

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

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.     

Distribution and origin of nitrate in groundwater in an urban and suburban aquifer in Mar del Plata,Argentina

The impact of urbanization on groundwater quality is of special concern for water managers dealing with the provision of drinking water to large urban centers. Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants found in urban aquifers. This paper presents a case study aiming at evaluating the distribution and sources of nitrate in an urban aquifer in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Four study zones under different land uses, including a pristine, a semi-rural, an intermediate, and an urban area, were evaluated as a part of this study. The three latter zones are linked by the groundwater flow system. The average nitrate concentration in the pristine area is 6.7 mg/L as nitrate and is over the permissible level of 50 mg/L for drinking water in the other areas. In the semi-rural area it ranges from 39.2 to 107.1 mg/L with an average value of 38.2 mg/L and the nitrate concentration tends to decrease in the intermediate zone to an average value of 38.2 mg/L; however, values above 60 mg/L are also observed there. Then the nitrate concentration in the urban area water is higher than that in the intermediate zonewater ranging from 48.2 to 100.3 mg/L with an average value of 67.3 mg/L. Data on the stable isotopes 15N and 18O in nitrate show that the main sources of nitrate in the study area are manure associated to agriculture uses and cesspools in the semi-rural area, and leakage of the sewage distribution network in the urban area, respectively. This is supported by a previous study which found that 20 % of the water flooding many underground structures in the city came from leakage of the sewage network. No evidence of nitrate attenuation by denitrification was found in the groundwater. This study has shown that aquifers in urban areas can be affected by agricultural activity in the upstream areas and leakage of the sewage network in the urban area.     

Hydrogeochemistry and arsenic contamination of groundwater in the Rayen area, southeastern Iran

High As contents in groundwater were found in Rayen area and chosen for a detailed hydrogeochemical study. A total of 121 groundwater samples were collected from existing tube wells in the study areas in January 2012 and analyzed. Hydrogeochemical data of samples suggested that the groundwater is mostly Na–Cl type; also nearly 25.62 % of samples have arsenic concentrations above WHO permissible value (10 μg/l) for drinking waters with maximum concentration of aqueous arsenic up to 25,000 μg/l. The reducing conditions prevailing in the area and high arsenic concentration correlated with high bicarbonate and pH. Results show that arsenic is released into groundwater by two major phenomena: (1) through reduction of arsenic-bearing iron oxides/oxyhydroxides and Fe may be precipitated as iron sulfide when anoxic conditions prevail in the aquifer sediments and (2) transferring of As into the water system during water–acidic volcanic rock interactions.     

Assessment of trace element contamination in soils around Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India

Concentrations of trace elements such as As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr were studied in soils to understand metal contamination due to agriculture and geogenic activities in Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India. This area is affected by the geogenic fluoride contamination. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor and degree of contamination. Forty-four soil samples were collected from the agricultural field from the study area from top 10–50 cm layer of soil. Soil samples were analyzed for trace elements using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Data revealed that soils in the study area are significantly contaminated, showing high level of toxic elements than normal distribution. The ranges of concentration of Ba (370–1,710 mg/kg), Cr (8.7–543 mg/kg), Cu (7.7–96.6 mg/kg), Ni (5.4–168 mg/kg), Rb (29.6–223 mg/kg), Sr (134–438 mg/kg), Zr (141.2–8,232 mg/kg) and Zn (29–478 mg/kg). The concentration of other elements was similar to the levels in the earth’s crust or pointed to metal depletion in the soil (EF < 1). The high EFs for some trace elements obtained in soil samples show that there is a considerable heavy metal pollution, which could be due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides used for agricultural or may be due to natural geogenic processes in the area. Comparative study has been made with other soil-polluted heavy metal areas and its mobility in soil and groundwater has been discussed. A contamination site poses significant environmental hazards for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are important sources of pollution and may result in ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems.     

Assessment of arsenic and fluoride pollution in groundwater in Dawukou area,Northwest China,and the associated health risk for inhabitants

Exposure to arsenic and fluoride through contaminated drinking water can cause serious health effects. In this study, the sources and occurrence of arsenic and fluoride contaminants in groundwater are analyzed in Dawukou area, northwest China, where inhabitants rely on groundwater as the source of drinking water. The triangular fuzzy numbers approach is adopted to assess health risk. The fuzzy risk assessment model incorporates the uncertainties that are caused by data gaps and variability in the degree of exposure to contaminants. The results showed that arsenic and fluoride in groundwater were mainly controlled by the dissolution–precipitation of Ca-arsenate and fluorite under weakly alkaline conditions. The arsenic and fluoride concentrations were higher in the shallow groundwater. The most probable risk values for arsenic and fluoride were 4.57 × 10^?4 and 0.4 in the shallow groundwater, and 1.58 × 10^?4 and 0.3 in the deep groundwater. Although the risks of fluoride were almost within the acceptable limit (<1.0), the risk values of arsenic were all beyond the acceptable levels of 10^?6 for drinking water. Further, the local administration should pay more attention to the potential health risk through dietary intake and to the safety of deep water by ensuring it is not contaminated under prolonged pumping conditions. The fuzzy risk model treats the uncertainties associated with a quantitative approach and provides valuable information for decision makers when uncertainties are explicitly acknowledged, particularly for the variability in contaminants. This study can provide a new insight for solving data uncertainties in risk management.     

Current situation and human health risk assessment of fluoride enrichment in groundwater in the Loess Plateau: A case study of Dali County,Shaanxi Province,China

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms and health risks of fluoride enrichment in groundwater in the Loess Plateau, China. By taking Dali County, Shaanxi Province, China as an example, this study obtains the following results through field investigation and the analyses of water, soil, and crop samples. (1) The groundwater can be divided into two major types, namely the Quaternary pore-fissure water and Karst water. The Karst area and sandy area have high-quality groundwater and serve as the target areas for optional water supply. The groundwater in the study area is slightly alkaline and highly saline. Meanwhile, high-fluoride groundwater is mainly distributed in the loess and river alluvial plains in the depression area of the Guanzhong Basin and the discharge areas of the groundwater, with the highest fluoride concentration exceeding seven times the national standard. (2) Fluoride in groundwater mainly originates from a natural source and human activities. The natural source refers to the fluoride-bearing minerals in rocks and soil, and the fluoride from this source is mainly controlled by natural factors such as climate, geologic setting, pH, specific hydrochemical environment, ion exchange, and mineral saturation. Human activities in modern life can be further divided into industrial and agricultural sources primarily. (3) The health risks of fluoride contamination are very high in the Loess Plateau, especially for children compared to adults. Meanwhile, the risks of fluoride exposure through food intake are higher than those through drinking water intake. The authors suggest selecting target areas to improve water supply and ensure the safety of drinking water in the study area. Besides, it is necessary to plant crops with low fluoride content or cash crops and to conduct groundwater treatment to reduce the fluoride concentration in drinking water. These results will provide a theoretical basis for safe water supply in the faulted basin areas in the Loess Plateau.© 2021 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Mechanism of fluoride enrichment in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Medak,Telangana State,South India

A total of 194 groundwater samples were collected from wells in hard rock aquifers of the Medak district, South India, to assess the distribution of fluoride in groundwater and to determine whether this chemical constituent was likely to be causing adverse health effects on groundwater user in the region. The study revealed that the fluoride concentration in groundwater ranged between 0.2 and 7.4 mg/L with an average concentration of 2.7 mg/L. About 57% of groundwater tested has fluoride concentrations more than the maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. The highest concentrations of fluoride were measured in groundwater in the north-eastern part of the Medak region especially in the Siddipeta, Chinnakodur, Nanganoor and Dubhaka regions. The areas are underlain by granites which contain fluoride-bearing minerals like apatite and biotite. Due to water–rock interactions, the fluoride has become enriched in groundwater due to the weathering and leaching of fluoride-bearing minerals. The pH and bicarbonate concentrations of the groundwater are varied from 6.6 to 8.8 and 18 to 527 mg/L, respectively. High fluoride concentration in the groundwater of the study area is observed when pH and the bicarbonate concentration are high. Data plotted in Gibbs diagram show that all groundwater samples fall under rock weathering dominance group with a trend towards the evaporation dominance category. An assessment of the chemical composition of groundwater reveals that most of the groundwater samples have compositions of Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺–Cl^? > Ca²⁺–Na⁺–HCO₃ ^? > Ca²⁺–HCO₃ ^? > Na⁺–HCO₃ ^?. This suggests that the characteristics of the groundwater flow regime, long residence time and the extent of groundwater interaction with rocks are the major factors that influence the concentration of fluoride. It is advised not to utilize the groundwater for drinking purpose in the areas delineated, and they should depend on alternate safe source.