Study on groundwater quality and status of Amas Block in Gaya District of Bihar with special reference to fluoride contamination

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the groundwater quality and to establish its relationship with fluoride in Amas Block of Gaya District, Bihar (India). The samples were collected from One hundred ninety-nine bore wells from different locations which were extensively used for drinking and other domestic purposes. Then, samples were analyzed according to standard methods (APHA) procedure. The study revealed that the total dissolved solids in 39%, total alkalinity in 93%, total hardness in 10%, calcium in 64% and magnesium in 19% samples but in case of chloride only one sample exceeded the BIS acceptable limit. In the case of nitrate and sulfate, none of the samples exceeded the BIS acceptable limit. Iron concentration was found high with a mean of 0.7 mg/l. The groundwater was severely affected by fluoride, varied from 0.2 mg/l to 5 mg/l and 63% samples were exceeded the permissible limit of BIS. Fluoride has a significant positive correlation with pH and sulfate as well as a significant negative correlation with calcium, magnesium, alkalinity and total hardness. Additionally, fluoride has a negative but poor correlation with electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate, and iron.