title: Use of principal component analysis to profile temporal and spatial variations of chlorinated solvent concentration in groundwater.
abstract: This work aims at evaluating spatial distribution patterns of concentration variations for chlorinated solvents in groundwater, based on principal component analysis and geographic information system (GIS) tools. The study investigates long-time series of chlorinated solvent concentrations in groundwater measured for 18 contaminated industrial sites. The characterization of contaminant plumes and delineation of pollutant sources are essential for choosing appropriate monitoring and remediation strategies, as contaminated groundwaters are characterized by complex patterns of spatial and temporal concentration variability, with wide unpredictable fluctuations over time. The present work describes the results of a new exploratory statistical method called the Variability Index Method (VIM) applied to environmental data to assess the performance of using concentration variations as molecular tracers to reveal aquifer dynamics, industrial impacts, and point sources for contamination plumes. The application of this method provides a useful assessment of controls over contaminant concentration variations as well as support for remediation techniques.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Geological Computer Sciences (CIG), Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, F-77305 Fontainebleau Cedex, France. lise.lucas@limos.uhp-nancy.fr
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jauzein
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D005618:Fresh Water; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis / Q000379:methods; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis*; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012997:Solvents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical