Fluoride (F−) is essential for normal bone growth, but higher concentration in the drinking water causes health problems which are reported in many states of India. Andhra Pradesh is one of the states which suffer from excess fluoride in groundwater particularly in the hard rock terrain. In this context, a study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh based on chemical analysis of water samples from hydrograph net work stations (dug wells) and exploratory bore wells. The concentration of fluoride in groundwaters ranges from traces to 9.75 mg/l. The occurrence of fluoride is mostly sporadic, uneven and varies with depth. The highly affected districts include Nalgonda and Warangal in Telangana region, Prakasam in coastal region, Anantapur and Kurnool in Rayalaseema region. In certain areas of Nalgonda district, 85% of wells have fluoride more than permissible limit (> 1.5 mg/l) for drinking water. High F− is present in all the geological formations, predominantly in granitic aquifers, compared to the other formations. The average value of fluoride is high in the deeper zone (1.10 mg/L), compared to the shallow zone (0.69 mg/L). The fluoride-rich minerals present are the main sources for fluoride concentrations in groundwater. Residence time, evapotranspiration and weathering processes are some of the other supplementary factors for high fluoride concentrations in groundwater. Long-term data of hydrograph net work stations (dug wells) reveal that fluoride concentrations do not show any marked change of trend with respect to time. The concentration of fluoride is found to increase with increase of Na+and HCO3−, and decrease with increase of Ca2+. Sodium bicarbonate waters are more effective in releasing fluoride from minerals into groundwater. High fluoride waters are of Na+ type. The paper presents a brief account of the study and its results.

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Physical weathering is caused by parameters such as water, temperature variations, salt laden winds etc Water : It acts as a good solvent and transporting agent. Capillary rise of salt solutions from ground into the stone surface gives rise to crystallization of the salts within the stone pore. The increase in volume of the crystallized salt, builds up stress and thus ruptures the rock. Contact of the stone surface leads to loss of stone minerals leaving the stone surface more porous and rough. At sub zero temperatures, the water within the pores can freeze and expand to about 9% thus leading to rupturing of the stone. Air: Strong winds laden with sand particles have an abrasive action on the monumental stone surface. It also acts as a transporting agent for the dust, micro flora, pollen micro soot etc. Temperature: It is an ever existing factor accompanying almost all processes and bearing on several properties. A rock is a poor conductor of heat and hence the differential thermal expansion between the surface and the crust leads to exfoliation and micro cracks.

Hydrochemical and hydrogeological studies were carried out in the groundwater of Dhaligaon refinery area, Bongaigoan district, Assam. The study revealed that the area is underlain by alluvial deposits of thickness varying from 67 to 142 meters and the groundwater occurs in unconfined alluvial formations. Transmissivity values of the formations range from 2100 to 3800 m2/day. The effluents from the refinery are disposed off into a natural drain, “Tunia nala”, which contaminates the groundwater. The effluents contain constituents like phenol, nitrite, sulphide, iron etc, which subsequently seep into the dug well zone, but the phenol concentrations get naturally attenuated during the contaminant transport to the depths below. The probable reasons leading to natural attenuation of phenol as per in-situ hydrogeological and environmental conditions have been discussed.