Fluoride Ingestion into the Natural Waters of Hard-Rock Areas, Peninsular India

The Vedavati River Basin falling in the central part of Peninsular India is a typical drought prone hard-rock terrain. Many places in it show high fluoride content (maximum 11 ppm) in the ground waters. Detailed studies on the distribution and geochemistry of fluoride were conducted in the basin between 1974 and 1979. User oriented map showing fluoride distribution giving mean and standard deviation is compiled. The leachable fluoride in the soils is more significant in contributing the fluoride-rich water rather than the mere presence of fluoride-bearing minerals in the rock.