Assessment of Fluoride Concentration in Groundwater from the Districts of Mysore and Mandya in Karnataka, India
Mrs. Harshitha Kurubur Parashivamurthy & Dr. Mudna kudu Ngaraju Kiran KumarBackground: Fluoride is one of the most common, highly reactive and non-biodegradable environmental pollutant. It is found in all natural waterways but groundwater is more contaminated when compared to other water ways. It is because of the geogenic source like rock and sediments rich in fluoride minerals contaminate groundwater. Another source of fluoride is from the phosphate fertilizers, industrial effluents and coal burning in thermal power plants. Fluoride from all these anthropogenic sources comes in contact with precipitation and then it seeps into the earth and contaminate groundwater. Increases in population in India increase demand for water, most of the population in urban and rural areas completely depend upon groundwater for drinking and cooking purpose. So it is very import to check the contaminants in water and remedial measures should be taken to remove the contaminants from the water. Objective: To determine the fluoride concentration in the groundwater of Mandya and Mysore district. Methodology: A total of about 120 water samples were collected from 40 villages of Mysore and Mandya district in 400ml pre-sterilized polyethylene bottles. The water sample was taken from the tap after five minutes of being flushed. Water flow was decreased, the sample was filled to the bottle's shoulder, and the cap was tightened to prevent leaks. The collected water sample was preserved and fluoride concentration was determined by using SPADNS method. Results: Out of 40 villages in Mysore and Mandya district, 15 villages have a greater than the allowed fluoride amount in drinking water, as per WHO guidelines. The remaining villages had fluoride levels below 1.5 mg/L, which is the recommended level of fluoride concentration. The fluoride concentrations ranges of all taluks as follows: KR Pete - 2.3±0.29 to 2.8±0.18ppm, Pandavapura - 0.1±0.34 to 2.8±0.63ppm, Malavalli - 0.1±0.29 – 0.5 ±0.44ppm, Srirangapatana 1.1±0.58 – 2.8±0.69ppm, Nagamangala 2.0±0.1 to 3.0±0.2ppm, Mysore 0 to 2.5±0.1ppm, Hunsur 0.5±0 – 1.29±0ppm, and KR Nagara 0.29±0.18 – 1.43±0.30 ppm. Out of 25 villages, 13 in Mandya district and 1 in Mysore district consists of the maximum fluoride content over the 1.5 mg/L allowable limit.