title: Application of fingerprint-based multivariate statistical analyses in source characterization and tracking of contaminated sediment migration in surface water.
abstract: This study investigates the suitability of multivariate techniques, including principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis, for analysing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and heavy metal-contaminated aquatic sediment data. We show that multivariate "fingerprint" analysis of relative abundances of contaminants can characterize a contamination source and distinguish contaminated sediments of interest from background contamination. Thereafter, analysis of the unstandardized concentrations among samples contaminated from the same source can identify migration pathways within a study area that is hydraulically complex and has a long contamination history, without reliance on complex hydrodynamic data and modelling techniques. Together, these methods provide an effective tool for drinking water source monitoring and protection.
authors.affiliation: NSERC Chair in Water Treatment, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. f5chen@uwaterloo.ca
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Huck
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical