Application of Chemometric Techniques in Groundwater Quality Investigation in Angware Area Jos North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Twenty water samples were collected and analyzed using DR2000 spectrophotometer, flame photometer and titrimetric method. The results indicate that the relative abundance of the cations were in the order of Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+>Fe2+>K+>Pb2+ while those of the anions were HCO3->Cl>F->SO4 2-. Correlation of the mean values of the chemical parameters with the World Health Organization standards indicates that Pb2+ and F- exceeded the maximum allowable limit. Principal Component Analysis identified three factors that account for 74.55% of the total variance. Factor 1 is characterized by high positive loadings with respect to Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, TH, Cl- and HCO3-. This factor is related to soil/rock-water interaction and also represents Na-Mg-Ca-Cl-HCO3 facies. Factor 2 includes high positive loading for pH and TDS and factor 3 has high loading for only SO4 2- which may be related to anthropogenic activities. Cluster analysis identified two clusters that are related to natural mineralization and anthropogenic contamination. Cluster 1 has close similarities for HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, TH and included K+, Fe2+ and F- in the same cluster and is related to natural mineralization. Cluster 2 comprised of pH and TDS in close similarities followed by SO4 2- and Pb2+ and included temperature in the same cluster and is related to anthropogenic pollution. PCA and CA indicate that the variables responsible for groundwater composition are related to natural and anthropogenic sources.