R. Anand and B.A. Kanchan Garg
Abstract
Water is the most vital component responsible for the sustenance of the life on Earth. Interestingly, it is also responsible for more than 80% of the diseases affecting the mankind. Fluoride is very much essential for healthy growth of teeth. However, levels higher than 1.5 mg/1 causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, decalcification, mineralisation of tendons, digestive and nervous disorders. For the present study, 172 ground water samples from 32 Gram Panchayat of Hiriyur Taluk were collected and analysed for Fluoride level, Electric conductivity (EC) and Total Hardness. The results show that 50.5% of the samples were affected by excessive Fluoride (>=1.5 mg/I), execessive salinity (EC 3000 ps/cm) was observed in I 0% of the samples and 22% of the samples were affected by excessive hardness (?_ 600 mg/las CaCO3). Cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis were observed in 48 villages. The consumers perceived salinity in 50 villages and hardness in 13 villages. A positive correlation was seen between Salinity (EC) and Fluoride and a negative correlation between total hardness and fluoride. High fluoride levels in the ground water could be seen in the areas of Schists and Gneiss. The yield in the Taluk varies from place to place. Major portion (66%) of the Taluk falls in the yield category 1000 lph to 4000 lph.