%0 Journal article
%A Kumar, P. J. Sajil
%T Groundwater fluoride contamination in Coimbatore district: a geochemical characterization, multivariate analysis, and human health risk perspective
%R 10.1007/s12665-021-09521-w
%J Environmental Earth Sciences
%V 80
%N 6

%I Springer Berlin Heidelberg
%X In this paper, fluoride geochemistry and health risk of groundwater in Coimbatore district is studied. The order of dominance of ions were HCO<sub>3</sub> > Cl > SO<sub>4</sub> > CO<sub>3</sub> and Na > Ca > Mg > K. Alkaline groundwater and the dominance of HCO<sub>3</sub> and Na is favourable for the fluoride enrichment. Around 46% of the samples, N–NE regions, have F<sup>−</sup> higher than permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L. Pink granites, charnockite and gneisses in lithology is the possible origin of F<sup>−</sup>. However, NO<sub>3</sub> vs F plot shows positive trend in some samples, indicating anthropogenic inputs of F<sup>−</sup>. Correlation plots of F<sup>−</sup> was trending positive with pH, HCO<sub>3</sub> and Na and but negative for Ca, indicating the control of these ions in F<sup>−</sup> mobility. This result is supported by undersaturation of fluorite and supersaturation of carbonates. Four significant principal components were derived, which have explained 87% of the total variation. PC1 has high factor loadings for EC, Ca, Mg Na, Cl, SO<sub>4</sub>, NO<sub>3</sub> indicating both natural and anthropogenic influences. PC2, PC3 and PC4 have higher loading for pH and HCO<sub>3</sub>, K and HCO<sub>3</sub> and F<sup>−</sup>, respectively, indicating geogenic factors in the F<sup>−</sup> enrichment. Human health risk assessment (HHRA) by ingestion and dermal pathways were calculated using Hazard Quotient HQ and Hazard Index (HI). 27% of males, 36% of females and 39% of the children have HI > 1, posing noncarcinogenic risks.
%U http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/11663
%~  FID GEO-LEO e-docs