Assessment of Tigris River Water Quality Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques

Abstract

The present study uses the multivariate statistical techniques by applying the Factor Analysis (Principle component method) to explain the observed water quality data of Tigris river within Baghdad city. The water quality was analyzed at eleven different sites, along the river, over a period of one year (2017) using 20 water quality parameters. Five factors were identified by factor analysis which was responsible from the 72.291% of the total variance of the water quality in the Tigris river. The first factor called the pollution factor explained 34.387% of the total variance and the second factor called the surface runoff and erosion factor explained 11.875% of the total variance. While, the third, fourth, and fifth factors explained 10.213%, 8.861% and 6.956% of the total variance and called pH, Silica and nutrient factors, respectively. Multivariate statistical techniques can be effective methods to aid water resources managers understand complex nature of water quality issues and determine the priorities to sustain water quality.