Interpretation of Fluoride Groundwater Contamination in Tamnar Area, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India
Beg, Mirza Kaleem, Kumar, Navneet, Srivastava, Sushil Kumar and Carranza, Emmanuel J. M., (2023). Interpretation of Fluoride Groundwater Contamination in Tamnar Area, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India. Earth, 4(3), 626-654
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Article
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Sub-type Journal article Author Beg, Mirza Kaleem
Kumar, Navneet
Srivastava, Sushil Kumar
Carranza, Emmanuel J. M.Title Interpretation of Fluoride Groundwater Contamination in Tamnar Area, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India Appearing in Earth Volume 4 Issue No. 3 Publication Date 2023-08-22 Place of Publication Basel Publisher Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Start page 626 End page 654 Language eng Abstract A high concentration of fluoride (F−) in drinking water is harmful and is a serious concern worldwide due to its toxicity and accumulation in the human body. There are various sources of fluoride (F−) and divergent pathways to enter into groundwater sources. High F− incidence in groundwater was reported in Raigarh district of Central India in a sedimentary (Gondwana) aquifer system. The present study investigates the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in the Tamnar area of Raigarh district to understand the plausible cause(s) of high F− concentration, especially the source(s) and underlying geochemical processes. Groundwater samples, representing pre-monsoon (N = 83), monsoon (N = 20), and post-monsoon (N = 81) seasons, and rock samples (N = 4) were collected and analyzed. The study revealed that (i) groundwater with high F− concentration occurs in the Barakar Formation, which has a litho-assemblage of feldspathic sandstones, shales, and coal, (ii) high F− concentration is mainly associated with Na-Ca-HCO3, Na-Ca-Mg-HCO3, and Na-Mg-Ca-HCO3 types of groundwater, (iii) the F− concentration increases as the ratio of Na+ and Ca2+ increases (Na+: Ca2+, concentration in meq/l), (iv) F− has significant positive correlation with Na+ and SiO2, and significant negative correlation with Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, and TH, and (v) high F− concentration in groundwater is found in deeper wells. Micas and clay minerals, occurring in the feldspathic sandstones and intercalated shale/clay/coal beds, possibly form an additional source for releasing F− in groundwater. Feldspar dissolution coupled with anion (OH− or F−) and cation (Ca2+ for Na+) exchange are probably the dominant geochemical processes taking place in the study area. The higher residence time and temperature of groundwater in deeper aquifers also play a role in enhancing the dissolution of fluorine-bearing minerals. Systematic hydrogeochemical investigations are recommended in the surrounding area having a similar geologic setting in view of the potential health risk to a large population. Keyword Geochemical process
Barakar formation
Hydrogeochemistry
Groundwater contaminationCopyright Holder The Authors Copyright Year 2023 Copyright type Creative commons DOI 10.3390/earth4030033 -
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