Geochemistry and Health Impact of Fluoride in Groundwater in parts of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh (PDF)

Scientific Essay from the year 2015 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Miscellaneous, Yogi Vemana University, language: English, abstract: Groundwater is an important water resource in India for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes. Swift unscientific and unsuitable groundwater developments in India suitable to even increasing population, urbanization, industrialization alters. The hydrological and geochemical environment of aquifers leads to groundwater pollution. Groundwater pollution suitable to geogenic and anthropogenic factors causes the groundwater non-potable and utilization of this water lead to health problems. Access of drinking water is measured by the number of people who has a reasonable means of getting an adequate amount of water that is safe for drinking. There is a substantial shortfall in the availability of potable water in less developed countries, primarily arising from contamination and pollution.

Endemic fluorosis is a major health issue occurring due to utilization of fluoride in groundwater is nationally important. Fluoride ion in drinking water is known for both beneficial and detrimental effects on health. It is essential for normal mineralization of bones and formation of dental enamel with presence in small quantity. However, when consumed in higher doses (>1.5mg/l), it leads to dental fluorosis or mottled enamel and excessively high concentration (>3.0mg/l) of fluoride may lead to skeletal fluorosis. Presence of high concentration of fluoride in groundwater is a major problem in many countries as it causes health related problems.

The selected study area is located in Southeastern part of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh. The geographical position of the Peninsula renders it, the driest part of the state and hence, agriculture conditions are more often precarious. The study area mainly exposes peninsular gneisses of Archean age consisting of pink granites, schists, composite gneisses of Dharwar age, intruded by a few pegmatite dykes. The major geomorphic units of the study area are mainly divided into Denudational Hills, Dissected pediments, Pediplain, and alluvium. The important rivers in the district are Penna, Chitravathi, Vedavathi and Hagari. The normal rainfall of the district is 553 mm by which it secures least rainfall when compared to Rayalaseema and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. The area experiences a semiarid climate with a moisture index of 33.7% with mean monthly temperatures of 17°C in January to 42°C in May.