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Volume Journal
I Number 2 2010 for Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation
[61-67]
Volume I No. 2 2010
[ISSN 0975 - 6272] [61-67] [ISSNNavneet
Kumar, 0975 - 6272]
Kumar, Navneet
Received: August 22, 2010 ⏐ Accepted: September 21, 2010 ⏐ Online: November 27, 2010
Abstract Introduction
Fluoride in water is an essential element for The occurrence of high fluoride
human beings and its deficiency as well as high concentrations in groundwater is a problem
concentration both is injurious to human health. It faced by many countries, notably India, Sri
is required for the protection against dental caries Lanka and China, the Rift Valley countries in
and weakening of bones. Groundwater in shallow East Africa, Turkey and parts of South Africa.
aquifers that supply water to dugwells in and Fluoride epidemic has been reported in as
around Dhampur, Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, many as 19 Indian states and Union
has higher concentrations of fluoride (F) than Territories. India is one among the 23 nations
those of borewells from deep aquifers. Factors for in the world, where fluoride contaminated
variation in fluoride content between the two groundwater is creating health problems. The
aquifer water types are discussed. The relative state of Art Report of UNICEF confirms the
merits of the shallow water for potability are fluoride problem in 177 districts of 20 states
pointed out with respect to fluoride in India. The high fluoride levels in drinking
concentrations and public health. Fluoride occurs water and its impacts on human health have
in almost all natural water supplies. Fluorides in increased the importance of defluoridation
high concentrations are not a common constituent studies (Adler, 1970; Bhussry, 1970 and EPA,
of surface water, but they may occur in 1975). The magnitude of the problem is
deterimental concentrations in ground waters. sinking in and effects are being made towards
defluoridation of drinking water, combating
Keywords: Flouride ⏐ Groundwater⏐ Aquifers⏐
the debilitating fluorosis and taking steps to
Variation⏐
prevent and control the disease (AMA, 1975;
Chand, 1999 and Hodge, 1965).
Variation of fluoride and correlation with alkalinity in groundwater of shallow and deep aquifers
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Volume I Number 2 2010 [61-67]
[ISSN 0975 - 6272] Kumar, Navneet
toothpastes, drugs, cosmetics, chewing gums, triangular stretch of country with its apex to
mouthwashes and so on (Subha Rao, 1997 the north. The western boundary is formed
and Thatte, 1994). Though a small amount of throughout by the deep stream of the river
it is beneficial for human health for Ganges, beyond which lie the four districts of
preventing dental carries, it is very harmful Dehradun, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and
when present in excess of 1.0 ppm. World Meerut. The Dhampur is a municipal board in
Health Organization (WHO) and IS: 10500 Bijnor district in the state of Uttar Pradesh,
recommend that the fluoride content in India. One of the largest sugar producers in
drinking water should be in the range of 1.0- India, Dhampur Sugar mills, is located here.
1.5 ppm. An intake of more than 6 ppm of Dhampur’s main economy is based on
fluoride results in multidimensional health agriculture, mainly sugarcane, wheat, and
manifestations, the most common being paddy. Hand-woven textile items produced by
dental and skeletal fluorosis (Hubner, 1969 the weavers living in surrounding areas are
and Ramamohana, 1974). Higher known for their utility and designs.
concentration of fluoride also causes
Site location and Climatology
respiratory failure, fall of blood pressure and
general paralysis. Loss of weight, anorexia, Dhampur is situated, between latitude
anemia, wasting and cochexia are among the 29°19′N and 78°31′E and longitude 29 32°N
common findings in chronic fluoride and 78 52°E at 216 meters above the sea
poisoning. Continuous ingestion of non-fatal level (Figure 1). The study area has an
dose of fluorides causes permanent inhibition average monthly temperature varying 41.9oC
of growth. Fluoride ions inhibit a variety of maximum in summer and 3.2oC in winter.
enzymes often by forming complexes with Average weather condition allow to recognize
magnesium ions and other metal ions six well-marked traditional seasons, i.e.
(Ramesam, 1985; Rao et al. 1973 and Subha spring (March-April), summer (May-June),
Rao, 1992). monsoon (July-August), sharada (Sep-Oct),
hemanta (Nov-Dec) and winter (Jan-Feb).
Bijnor occupies the north-west corner of the The average annual rainfall variation is
Moradabad Division and is a roughly between 1122 and 1054 mm/year.
0
0
78 31’ 78 52’
0 0
29 19’ 29 32’
N
Afzargarh
Nagina
Rehar
Nahtaur Sherkot
Dhampur
rea
dy a
Stu
Chakrajmal
Seohara
Tajpur Figure 1. Base map and location map of
dugwells and borewells in and around
Nurpur
Sahaspur Dugwell
Borewell
Dhampur, Bijnor
Variation of fluoride and correlation with alkalinity in groundwater of shallow and deep aquifers
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Volume I Number 2 2010 [61-67]
[ISSN 0975 - 6272] Kumar, Navneet
food stuffs have fluorine contents as follows: suitable than the latter for drinking purposes.
milk 0.07 to 0.22 ppm, wheat 0.05 ppm, rice
By analyzing the data it has been found that
0.7 ppm, eggs 1.2 ppm; tea 3.2 to 178.8 ppm,
nearly all the fluoride concentration had pH
garlic and onion contain 10 to 17 ppm
level more than seven that means all the pH in
(Kariyanna, 1987). Under these
the alkaline side (Table:1) for both the
circumstances, it is advisable to consume
aquifers. Correlation analysis had been
waters having a low concentration of F to
carried out to find out correlation coefficient
prevent fluorosis problems. The desirable
value (Table: 1). By analyzing the data it was
limit of F in water for drinking purpose is 0.6
found that correlation value is 0.119723 in
to 1.2 ppm, while the optimal range for it in
shallow aquifers and correlation value has
the present study area as per temperature
been found in deep aquifers -0.066672. The
conditions (Public Health Service, 1962) is
graph has been plotted showing the basicity is
0.7 to 0.8 ppm. Therefore, the ideal
the major factor for fluoride increase in the
concentration of F may be considered to be
ground water show in Figure 2 and 3. Mean
0.6 to 0.7 ppm. Since nearly 73% of the deep
maximum average value has been calculated
aquifer water has an F concentration between
in the table for fluoride and pH value (Table:
0.6 and 0.7 ppm compared to the shallow
2).
aquifer water, the former would be more
Figure 2.Graphical presentation of pH
in shallow and deep aquifers
Variation of fluoride and correlation with alkalinity in groundwater of shallow and deep aquifers
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Volume I Number 2 2010 [61-67]
[ISSN 0975 - 6272] Kumar, Navneet
Table 2. Mean Maximum and Average value for
pH and Fluoride
Variation of fluoride and correlation with alkalinity in groundwater of shallow and deep aquifers
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Appelo, C.A.J. and Postma, D. Geochemistry, Lehr, J.H., Gass, T.E., Pettyjohn, W.A. and
Groundwater and Pollution, 2nd De Marre, J. Domestic Water
edition. Balkema publishers, Leiden, Treatment. Mc Graw-hill Book Co.,
the Netherlands, 2005:404p. New Delhi, 1980: 655p.
Bhussry, B.R. Toxic effect of large doses of Merck, E. Testing of Water, Dermstadt,
fluoride. Fluoride and human health. Federal Republic of Germany. 1974.
WHO, Geneva. 1970:230pp.
Public Health Service, Drinking Water
Brown, E., Skougstad, M. W. and Fishman, Standards. U.S. Dept. of Health,
M. J. Methods for collection and Education and Welfare, Washington,
analyses of water samples for D.C., 1962: 61 p.
dissolved minerals and gases. U.S.
Dept. of Interior, Book No. 5, Ramamohana Rao, N. V. and Rajyalakshmi,
1974:160 p. K. Studies of water quality and
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Chand, Dinesh. Fluoride and human health Pradesh. Proceedings of the
cause for concern. Indian J. Env. Prot., Symposium on Fluorosis, Hyderabad.
1999, 19 (2):81-89. 1974: 477-486 pp.
EPA. National interim primary drinking water Ramesam, V. and Rajagopalan, K. Fluoride
regulations US Environmental ingestion into the natural water of hard
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Hodge, H.C. and Smith, F.A. Effect of Rao, R. J. and Naidu, M. G. C. Geochemistry
fluoride on bones and teeth in Fluoride of high-fluoride natural waters if
Chemistry. Academic Press, New Jaggaiahpalem, fluorosis-endemic
York. 1965: Vol. 4. 337-693pp. village near Visakhapatnam district,
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fluorid/hydroxide Geochemistry, Patna, India. 1973: 6p.
Austauscheversuchen and
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Babu, P. Chandra Rao P. and Krishna
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