Distribution of Fluoride in Groundwater and Its Correlation with Physicochemical Parameters
An epidemiological survey was conducted to evaluate the quality of groundwater in 17 villages of Moga district of Punjab, India. Drinking water samples were taken from hand pump, tap and tube wells situated in different localities of the district, for physicochemical analysis. The water quality parameters such as pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, chloride, iron electric conductance, and fluoride were measured by using standard methods. The fluoride concentration level in the drinking water of these villages ranged from 0.09 to 10.5 mg/l. The concentration of calcium, magnesium and chloride varied from 8 to 80 mg/l, 9 to 75 mg/l and 22 to 198 mg/l. The values of total hardness and alkalinity ranged from 60 to 290 and 390 to 786 mg/l. Fluoride concentration exhibited significant (p<0.05) positive correlation to pH and total alkalinity and negative correlation to total hardness, calcium and magnesium. Statistical analysis of data revealed significant impact of fluoride on the physicochemical parameters of drinking water samples studied under present investigation.
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