Application of multivariate statistical technique for hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater within the Lower Pra Basin, Ghana

Abstract

Multivariate statistical technique and hydrogeochemical approach were employed for groundwater assessment within the Lower Pra Basin. The main objective was to delineate the main processes that are responsible for the water chemistry and pollution of groundwater within the basin. Fifty-four (54) (No) boreholes were sampled in January 2012 for quality assessment. PCA using Varimax with Kaiser Normalization method of extraction for both rotated space and component matrix have been applied to the data. Results show that Spearman's correlation matrix of major ions revealed expected process-based relationships derived mainly from the geochemical processes, such as ion-exchange and silicate/aluminosilicate weathering within the aquifer. Three main principal components influence the water chemistry and pollution of groundwater within the basin. The three principal components have accounted for approximately 79% of the total variance in the hydrochemical data. Component 1 delineates the main natural processes (water-soil-rock interactions) through which groundwater within the basin acquires its chemical characteristics, Component 2 delineates the incongruent dissolution of silicate/aluminosilicates, while Component 3 delineates the prevalence of pollution principally from agricultural input as well as trace metal mobilization in groundwater within the basin. The loadings and score plots of the first two PCs show grouping pattern which indicates the strength of the mutual relation among the hydrochemical variables. In terms of proper management and development of groundwater within the basin, communities, where intense agriculture is taking place, should be monitored and protected from agricultural activities. especially where inorganic fertilizers are used by creating buffer zones. Monitoring of the water quality especially the water pH is recommended to ensure the acid neutralizing potential of groundwater within the basin thereby, curtailing further trace metal mobilization processes in groundwater within the basin.

Health Risks and Potential Sources of Contamination of Groundwater Used by Public Schools in Vhuronga 1, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…It does not require any assumptions regarding the frequency distribution of the variables, and is not sensitive to outliers [ 23 ]. Rs has been used in correlation analyses in groundwater quality studies, including [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Rs was calculated in Equation (4) in Microsoft Excel (2016, Microsoft, Johannesburg, South Africa).…”

Application des méthodes statistiques multivariées à l’étude hydrochimique des eaux souterraines de la région des lacs (centre de la Côte d’Ivoire)

“…Par ailleurs, la source de Fer dans les eaux souterraines pourrait être due à l'altération de la biotite (K (Fe,Mg) 3 (OH) 2 AlSi 3 O 10 (Sakyi et al, 2016) et à l'oxydation de la pyrite (Kortatsi et al, 2008) . Il en est de même pour le Mn qui est susceptible d'être issu du processus naturel d'interaction eau-roche (Boateng et al, 2015 ;Sakyi et al, 2016 ;Tay et al, 2017). Enfin, la minéralisation naturelle par altération du réservoir dans le temps et précipitation des ions issus de la dissolution des silicates reste le processus majeur qui gouverne le chimisme des eaux souterraines dans la région des Lacs.…”

Hydrogeochemical framework of groundwater within the Asutifi-North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana

“…Knowledge of groundwater chemistry is not only critical for ascertaining the source of groundwater contamination but also the identification and characterization of the factors controlling the basic hydrochemistry in a region (Surinaidu 2016). The application of geochemical footprint in the evaluation of various hydrogeochemical processes such as water-rock interaction, identification of recharge area, ion-exchange processes along groundwater flow paths, mechanisms controlling the chemistry of groundwater in a region, salinization of groundwaters in coastal aquifers and the stability of silicate/carbonate minerals and their possible secondary weathering products has been extensively studied (Tardy 1971;Jankowski et al 1998;Andre et al 2005;Singh et al 2008;Hussien et al 2016;Surinaidu et al 2016;Tay et al 2017;Shakya et al 2019;Mengistu et al 2019). Classification and source identification of dissolved ions in groundwater have the advantage of providing useful information for policy makers towards sustainable management of these vital resources.…”

“…The effectiveness of multivariate statistical techniques in classifying and distinguishing intricate hydrochemical changes and the hidden processes that control the hydrochemical dynamics in aquifers have been extensively studied previously (Machiwal et al 2015;Surinaidu 2016;Tay et al 2017;Das et al 2019). This technique has been employed with significant success as a tool in the study of groundwater geochemistry.…”