Inferring the hydro-geochemistry of fluoride contamination in Bankura district, West Bengal: A case study

In view of the recent reports of fluorosis in many parts of Bankura district, West Bengal, a detailed hydrogeochemical monitoring was carried out in the different blocks of Bankura to find out the level and extent of affectation. It is observed that the sub-surface environment of Bankura is appreciably contaminated with the deadly poison of fluoride. Out of the 3617 tube wells surveyed in 10 affected blocks, 612 sources are detected with fluoride above the desirable limit of 1 mg/l. In addition, down-the-hole rock drilling was performed at 15 different locations in 8 worst affected blocks of Bankura. Nearly 75% of the drill-hole rock chip samples and 62% of sub-surface water samples collected from different depths is found to have fluoride equal to or above 4000 mg/kg and 1 mg/l respectively. Detailed microscopic examination of drill chip samples has indicated diverse rock units in close succession, such as Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex, Singhbhum Group of rocks, anorthosite suite and unclassified metamorphics of Archaean-Proterozoic age. All these rocks have been intruded later by granitic fluids causing mineralization of fluoride to take place. Besides, fluoride is also found derived, to lesser extent, from Older Alluvium which bears different fluoride bearing minerals. Preliminary health surveys have revealed that dental and skeletal fluorosis are prevalent in the study area, which further corroborates with the analytical findings.