Groundwater Quality in Kovilpatti Region and Removal of Fluoride using Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Leaves as an Adsorbent

Abstract

Groundwater pollution is a worldwide issue. The level of the pollutant concentration measurement is an essential due to the many countries depend on groundwater for the drinking. In present study area (Kovilpatti region) has also depend on groundwater for the drinking and irrigation purposes. Hence to assess the ground water quality in Kovilpatti region, 18 samples were collected from various points during pre-monsoon sessions (January 2020). The physical water quality parameters such as pH, TDS, EC were measured in the field using handheld water analysis kit. The chemical parameters of water quality such as Chloride (Cl-), Fluoride (F-), iron (Fe2+) were analyzed and concentration were computed in the laboratory by using standard methods. Among the obtained values, five stations have higher concentration of chloride and fluoride than the permissible limit recommended in BIS 2012. To reduce the fluoride concentration, a treatment was carried out using Neem leaves as natural adsorbent. The obtained result reveals that the removal efficiency is about 52% when 0.04g of adsorbent was added. For the same, a station named Pudhukramam, achieved the maximum removal efficiency as 87%. This study is used to assess the level of pollution and pollutant concentration in the Kovilpatti region. The removal efficiency of Neem levels at varies additions were also measured in the present study.