Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeological Profile of Kavala Area, Northern Greece

摘要

In the present study thirty two representative sites have been selected for the collection of water samples from central water supplies in the region of Kavala, Northern Greece. Water source sites were identified depending on the geographical location. Seven physicochemical parameters (electric conductivity, chloride, sodium, total hardness, total alkalinity, bicarbonate and calcium) were analyzed monthly, in the period from January 2010 to December 2010. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the 384 cases (32 × 12) of observation into three clusters (1: coastal, 2: lowland and 3: semi–mountainous) based on the similarities of potable water quality characteristics specific to geological origin. The mean plots of variables (Ward's method) allowed the membership assignment of each parameter in the three–cluster solution. The classification scheme obtained through cluster analysis was confirmed by ANOVA. The mean values of the studied physicochemical parameters were found to be within the limits given in the 98/83/EC Directive. The water samples are appropriate for human consumption. The results of this study provide an overview of the hydrogeological profile of water supply system for the studied area.