ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF FLUORIDE-CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER IN VADOSE ZONE

Abstract

Fluoride pollution of groundwater presents a major worldwide health issue, having a particularly severe impact on more than one-third of people in the northwestern region of Rajasthan, India. This study investigates the extent of fluoride contamination in groundwater sources used for irrigation in Rajasthan, India, and its impact on agricultural soil and subsurface dynamics. The research focuses on the groundwater sources in the Laporiya village of the Dudu district, which are heavily contaminated with fluoride, exceeding the desirable limit of 1.5 milligrams per litre provided by the CGWB Report. This study examines the complicated interactions between fluoride-contaminated groundwater and the soil ecosystem by combining field observations, laboratory investigation, and proficient modelling tools. Soil samples have been extracted from a total of three separate sites inside the agricultural field, reaching a depth of 150 cm. Physical parameters like soil classification, bulk density, and moisture content were obtained from laboratory studies. Soil adsorption properties were investigated using batch tests under diverse conditions, including modifications in contact duration, concentration of adsorbent, and pH. The HYDRUS-1D model utilizes the adsorption properties of subsurface soil determined from batch studies to investigate the mobility of fluoride in the subsurface through fluoride-contaminated groundwater.