Removal of Fluoride Content from Groundwater using Reverse Osmosis

Abstract

In pre-monsoon the concentration of fluoride in groundwater varies from 0.09 to 8.8 mg/l and in post-monsoon 0.0 to 7.1 mg/l. In the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon the spatial distribution of concentration of fluoride is about 60% of the total samples in the west south and north parts of the area being studied have concentration of fluoride less than the minimum required limit which is 0.6 mg/l.;15% samples in the east part of area being studied have concentration of fluoride greater than the maximum permissible level which is greater than 1.2 mg/l; and left 25% samples in the east and central parts of area under study have concentration of fluoride within the optimum range which is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/l. In most parts of the world, groundwater is the major source. Groundwater becomes unsuitable for different purposes because of the presence of certain ions in low or high concentration. In 25 countries around the globe fluoride is one such ion that leads to health problems. Consumption of 0.6 mg/l fluoride is required to have stronger bones and teeth. If fluoride is more than 1.5 mg/l it will lead to acute to chronic dental fluorosis which causes turning of tooth coloured from yellow to brown. Intake of fluoride more than the optimum level also causes skeletal fluorosis, carcinogenic problems and gastrointestinal problems. The weathering of rocks having fluoride bearing minerals such as apatite, fluorite, biotite, etc. and infiltration of rainfall through it leads to increase in fluoride in groundwater.