ENIVRONMENT ASIA

Volume 13, No. 01, Month JANUARY, Year 2020, Pages 67 - 74

Multivariate statistical appraisal of trace elements in shallow groundwater of keana nigeria

Abuh Momoh, Mimonitu Opuwari, Osaji .E. Patrick, Imagbe .O. Lucky, Ajadi Jimoh

Abstract Download PDF

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of trace elements in groundwater using multivariate statistical techniques, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Thirteen variables of fifteen shallow groundwater samples were analysed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Five principal components were extracted that accounted for 88.52% of the total variance in the data set. Principal component 1 was responsible for 31.58% of the total variance, which was represented by copper, zinc, chromium, nickel and iron. Principal component 2 explained 49.76% of the total variance and was represented by nickel, arsenic, manganese and selenium. Principal component 3 was participated by cadmium and beryllium, while PC 4 has molybdenum and cobalt, respectively. Principal component 5 was represented by lead and selenium. The cluster analysis revealed two distinct groups of groundwater that are distinguished by different trace elements constituents. These trace elements were mainly from anthropogenic sources and parent rock materials in the area of study.

Keywords

Anthropogenic sources; Keana; Parent rock; Principal component analysis; Trace elements

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