Statistical Analysis of High Fluoride Groundwater Hydrochemistry in Southern India: Quality Assessment and Implications for Source of Fluoride

The present investigation studied fluorosis among the population in the Jaggayyapalem area of Southern India resulting from the occurrence of fluoride in groundwater. Thirty water samples were collected and analyzed for major cations: Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, and anions: Cl−, CO32−, HCO3−, SO42−, and F−. Analyzed data were utilized to characterize the hydrochemical process dominant in this area. Gibb's diagrams suggested that the water rock interaction was the major driving force controlling water chemistry. Possible sources of fluoride were chemical weathering and leaching of fluorine-bearing minerals present in hard rocks and alluvial formations under the alkaline environment in arid to semiarid conditions. Multivariate analysis in terms of principle component analysis and cluster analysis furnished information about the sources of various parameters in groundwater samples. The correlation study revealed that Ca-K-HCO3-CO3, Mg-HCO3, and K-CO3-Cl are significantly correlated. Furthermore, from this study, it is clear that the source of F was related to Na-Mg silicate minerals and also due to dissolution of carbonate and chloride.