groundwater quality using principal component analysis

Jovien aquifer is located in north-east of Iran and is recharged by the mountains with ultramafic rocks. The purpose of this study was to identify the effective factors on the quality of Jovein groundwater using principal component analysis (PCA) multivariate statistical technique. Groundwater sampling was collected from 22 wells (May 2009) in the study area. Physical parameters including T, DO, pH and EC were measured in situ. Major and minor ions and heavy metal compositions of groundwater have compared with standards. Then multivariate statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis and factor analysis/PCA, were employed to examine the chemical compositions of groundwater and to identify effective factors on the groundwater quality. According to the results, four principle factors were identified including hydro chemical evolution, chromites ores and chromium mining, weathering and oxidizing environment.