Fluoride contamination in wetlands of Kuttanad, India: Predisposing edaphic factors

Fluoride contamination has now become an emerging concern in agroecosystems. A diagnostic survey was conducted across the fluoride (F-) contaminated wetlands of Kuttanad, India with aim to examine influence edaphic factors on F- concentration soils. The soils (Inceptisols) predominantly sandy had a substantial percentage clay and soil characteristics such as bulk density (BD), moisture, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC) organic carbon (OC) varied Similarly, nutrients (NPK) oxides Fe Al well total sesquioxide differed Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that first two components (PC1 PC2) significantly explained variability existed data while third (PC3) did not explain any variation compared components. PC1, PC2 PC3 accounted for 52.2%, 12.7% 11.3% profiles respectively. Out samples, 53% similar distribution are grouped together PC1 while, remaining 47% samples PC2. Among examined, silt content, EC, CEC, OC, N P significant (P<0.001) positive association along indicating these contributing augmentation Kuttanad.