Surface and groundwater water quality assessment using multivariate analytical methods: a case study of the Western Niger Delta, Nigeria
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Date
2008
Authors
Omo-Irabor, O.O
Olobaniyi, S.B
Oduyemi, K
Akunna, J
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
Abstract
This study investigates the natural and anthropogenic processes that influence the chemistry of surface
and groundwater within the western Niger Delta region using multivariate statistical techniques. A total
of 137 surface and groundwater samples were collected between 2003 and 2007 during the rainy and dry
seasons, from 15 sites and analysed for their physico-chemical constituents. The chemical data set generated
were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA)/Factor Analysis (FA) and Hierarchic Cluster
Analysis (HCA). PCA is a procedure for reducing data redundancy, while FA establishes the general relationship
among variables. CA is used to detect spatial similarity among sampling sites. The results indicate
five dominant processes or factors for surface water that explained 77.11% of the variance in the data
set. In groundwater, the factors account for 80.55% of the total variance. Cluster analysis revealed a random
spatial distribution of the chemical components investigated. This is consistent with the multipurpose
nature of land use in the study area. The multiple natural and anthropogenic sources indicated by
this study, and their unsystematic distribution show that proper land use planning and firm implementation
of existing environmental laws is imperative in this oil producing region, in order to have effective
surface water and groundwater resource management.
Description
Keywords
groundwater quality , Hydrochemistry , Principal component analysis , Factor analysis , Hierarchic cluster analysis , Niger delta
Citation
Omo-Irabor, O. O., Olobaniyi, S. B., Oduyemi, K., & Akunna, J. (2008). Surface and groundwater water quality assessment using multivariate analytical methods: a case study of the Western Niger Delta, Nigeria. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 33(8-13), 666-673.