ASSESSMENT OF FLUORIDE CONCENTRATION IN GROUNDWATER IN WEST ZONE OF COIMBATORE CORPORATION

Groundwater is the major source of freshwater on the earth which contains dissolved ions in different concentrations. These dissolved ions are helpful for human health at desirable concentrations. Beyond the permissible limit (1.5 mg/L)it is harmful and not suitable for domestic use. Fluoride is one such dissolved ion which causes dental and skeletal fluorosis to humans at high concentration. The continuous use of water that has high amount of fluoride may prove toxic to human, animal and plants. Excessive fluoride concentrations have been reported in more than 20 developed and developing countries in world. In India, 4 states are facing fluoride problem. In view of this, an attempt was made to find out the fluoride content in groundwater in West Zone of Coimbatore Corporation. The fluoride variations were also due to impact of other water parameters such as chloride, sulphate and hardness. The fluoride concentrations were found to be satisfactory and lie within the permissible limit.