Abstract

                               The largest source of fresh water lying beneath the ground has become crucial for targeting potential zones, monitoring its quality is required for domestic and irrigation needs. The groundwater of Tiruppur District has been degraded due to rapid industrialization. The present study aims to provide information regarding the fluoride contamination in the groundwater over a period of time and mapping using GIS software. Tiruppur district map was digitized using Arc GIS software and the sampling locations were identified using grids covering the entire zone by equal distance. Survey was conducted and samples were taken in western zone of Tamil Nadu. A total of 37 water samples were collected from open well and bore well from different locations of Tiruppur district and analysed. The latitude and longitude values were taken at all the locations for mapping the fluoride endemic areas using GPS. In the study area, Fluoride content ranged from 0.32 to 1.44 mg / lt. Plant samples were collected where fluoride concentration in the groundwater was found in the range of > 1 ppm. Fluoride endemic areas were identified based on the fluoride content of the water sources and mapping was done using Arc GIS Software.

Key words : Fluoride contamination, Groundwater, Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu