Using principal component analysis to monitor spatial and temporal changes in water quality.
Chemical, biological and physical data monitored at 12 locations along the Passaic River, New Jersey, during the year 1998 are analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used: (i) to extract the factors associated with the hydrochemistry variability; (ii) to obtain the spatial and temporal changes in the water quality. Solute content, temperature, nutrients and organics were the main patterns extracted. The spatial analysis isolated two stations showing a possible point or non-point source of pollution. This study shows the importance of environmental monitoring associated with simple but powerful statistics to better understand a complex water system.
Bengraïne
Karim
K
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Marhaba
Taha F
TF
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012995:Solubility; D013696:Temperature; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014873:Water Pollutants