Analysis and Visualization of the Fluoride Hazard Quotient in the Groundwater of Rural Areas in Northwestern Region of Ajmer District, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Abstract: Groundwater contamination by fluoride is a major concern in many regions of India. Fluoride in excess is one of the most harmful pollutants to human health. Water contains about 80% of the total fluoride acquired in the human body (mg/kg/day). The health risks connected with fluoride-rich ground water must be evaluated. Ajmer district (25°38'-26°58' N: 73°54'-75°22' E) covers an area of 8481 km2. The district's principal geomorphic characteristics include alluvial plains, linear ridges, pediment, denudation hill, buried pediment, and structural valleys. During this study, 15 villages in the northwestern district of Ajmer were sampled. The fluoride exposure dose, which is an individual's chronic daily absorption of fluoride by eating, was determined for infants, children, and adults; a hazard quotient greater than one suggests the possibility of detrimental health effects. The Hazard Quotient for fluoride in the research region was mapped using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation. The HQ analysis showed that all readings above the permissible limit of one, with values ranging from 1.01 for Pushkar to 4.38 for nearby Hokhra. The average fluoride value for the whole research region was 2.73, with a standard deviation of 0.950. Fluorosis appears to be caused mostly by fluoride-rich waterways in the region. Decomposition, dissociation, and dissolution are the primary chemical events responsible for fluoride mobility and transit into groundwater. Low-cost fluoride control strategies include mixing, artificial recharge, effective irrigation systems, and well construction.