Abstract

This study is conducted in Dharapuram, a water-stressed semi-arid region in south India with an aim to understand the hydrochemistry of F-rich groundwater and perform a systematic human health risk assessment. Results indicate that groundwater is alkaline, dominated with Na, Mg, HCO₃, and Cl. Gibb’s plot shows that groundwater is influenced by rock–water interaction and evaporation processes. The concentration of fluoride exceeded the acceptable limits of 1 mg/L of Indian drinking water standard in 73% of the samples. However, no samples exceeded maximum permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. Higher concentrations were observed in the eastern, southeastern, northeastern regions in this category. Geochemical investigation showed that the Na-rich–Ca-poor groundwater favoring fluoride release from the geological formations and increase in F-levels in groundwater. Saturation indices show that groundwater is undersaturated with fluoride, which is agreed with the hydrochemical analysis. Hazard quotient (HQ) shows that the groundwater is posing noncarcinogenic threats to 62% of children and 34% of females. In contrast, men were found to be safer than compared to the other two groups. The individuals with higher body weight are proved to be less affected by the same concentration of fluoride in drinking water.

摘要

这项研究是在印度南部缺水的半干旱地区达拉普拉姆（Dharapuram）进行的，目的是了解富含F的地下水的水化学特性并进行系统的人类健康风险评估。结果表明，地下水为碱性，以Na，Mg，HCO _3为主和Cl。吉布的图表明，地下水受到岩水相互作用和蒸发过程的影响。73％的样品中氟化物的浓度超过了印度饮用水标准1 mg / L的可接受极限。但是，没有样品超过最大允许限值1.5 mg / L。在该类别的东部，东南部，东北区域中观察到较高的浓度。地球化学研究表明，富含Na-Ca的地下水贫乏，有利于氟化物从地质构造中释放出来并提高地下水中F的含量。饱和指数表明，地下水中氟化物的饱和度较低，这与水化学分析是一致的。危险商（HQ）显示，地下水对62％的儿童和34％的女性构成了非致癌性威胁。相比之下，发现男人比其他两组人更安全。事实证明，体重较高的人受饮用水中相同浓度的氟化物的影响较小。