Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Fluoride Distribution in Groundwater of the Vidarbha Region

Kamlakar Y. Nikhade, Hitesh K. Dewangan

Abstract: Groundwater serves as a primary source of drinking water in many parts of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra; however, its quality is influenced by natural geochemical processes and localized anthropogenic activities. The present study evaluates the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater samples collected from twenty locations across the region, with particular emphasis on fluoride contamination. Parameters including pH, fluoride, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, turbidity, total hardness (TH), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were analyzed using standard analytical procedures. The groundwater was found to be neutral to slightly alkaline, with fluoride concentrations showing spatial variability. While most samples were within recommended drinking water limits, a few locations exhibited elevated fluoride levels, indicating localized geogenic enrichment due to prolonged water?rock interaction. Several samples also showed high TDS, EC, and hardness values, suggesting significant mineralization and dissolution of aquifer materials. The turbidity?TDS relationship indicated that suspended particles, rather than dissolved ions, largely governed turbidity variations. The overall assessment highlights the need for regular groundwater monitoring and the implementation of effective, region-specific treatment strategies, particularly in fluoride-affected areas.

Keywords: Groundwater quality, Fluoride contamination, Vidarbha region, Physicochemical parameters, Hydrogeochemistry, Total dissolved solids, Water quality assessment, Defluoridation