Distribution of Fluoride and Arsenic Contents in the Ground Water System, Jorhat District, Assam, India

P. P. Saikia, P. Kotoky, U. Goswami

Abstract: Exploratory investigations have been made on the ground water system of the Jorhat district, Assam to evaluate the geochemical association (Fe, As, F, K, Mn, Zn, Ni, Ca, Mg and Na with pH and Conductivity) in it. The environmentally significant fluoride and arsenic contents have shown their distribution as 0.01 to 0.72 mg/l and 0.50 to 162g/l respectively. The distribution of fluoride has evidenced less concern with respect to environment and human health as the concentration is much lower than the prescribed tolerance level of WHO and BIS. However, thirty three per cent (33 %) out of seventy locations under study covering entire Jorhat district, Assam, have evidenced higher level of arsenic (>10.0g/l) in the associated water system. The observation bears a significant imprint not only in health sector but also with wider implication in societal and economic perspectives.

Keywords: Fluoride, Arsenic, Groundwater, Jorhat, Assam