Discrimination of Groundwater Sources Using Cluster Analysis, MANOVA, Canonical Analysis and Discriminant Analysis

摘要

Multivariate statistical analysis of water chemistry variables provides an empirical method of establishing relationships and/or differences among groundwater samples taken spatially or temporally. Careful application of cluster analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, canonical analysis, and discriminant analysis provides insight into possible segregation among groundwater sources or mixing among aquifers and a subsequent test of that conjecture. The methods have been applied successfully to two field studies discussed herein. The statistically distinct groups of samples identified by the above methods are supported by structural and geochemical stratification mapping.