Co-occurrence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater in Chandrapur district, central India

The study was carried out to assess the co-occurrence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater in Chandrapur district, Central India, and their possible future health risk to men, women, and children. A total of 36 groundwater sampling locations (n = 34 from hand pump and n = 2 from dug well) were identified using a systematic random sampling method. The sampling was carried out using the grab sampling method in the post-monsoon season. Various physicochemical parameters were analysed as described in APHA. The results showed that the average concentration of arsenic in the groundwater was 0.0316 mg/L (0.0158 - 0.0414 mg/L), while the average concentration of fluoride was 1.18 mg/L (0.5 - 2.32 mg/L). All groundwater samples had arsenic concentrations above the limit permissible by the Indian standard (0.01 mg/L), while they were within the desirable limit (0.05 mg/L). As for the fluoride in groundwater, 12 samples (33.33 %) were below the desirable limit by the Indian standard (< 1.0 mg/L) and five (13.88 %) were above the desirable limit (> 1.5 mg/L). The co-occurrence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater from the study area was recorded at 47.22 % (n = 17) of the sampling locations. At 14 sampling locations (38.88 %), the concentrations of both arsenic and fluoride in groundwater were higher, while at 35 sampling locations (97.22 %) there was an elevated concentration of either arsenic or fluoride or both of these contaminants. The plausible reason for the presence of arsenic and fluoride in groundwater can be attributed to geogenic origin. The prolonged ingestion of the groundwater from the study area may pose a threat to the health of the inhabitants. The inhabitants should be aware of these contaminants, and local authorities should use these findings to identify hotspots where these contaminants have occurred. It is necessary to develop and apply low-cost, environment-friendly, and easy-to-adopt methods for the removal of arsenic in combination with fluoride.