Abstract
Principal component analysis is applied to 309 groundwater chemical data information from wells in the Serra Geral Aquifer System. Correlations among seven hydrochemical parameters are statistically examined. A four-component model is suggested and explains 81% of total variance. Component 1 represents calcium-magnesium bicarbonated groundwaters with long time of residence. Component 2 represents sulfated and chlorinated calcium and sodium groundwaters; Component 3 represents sodium bicarbonated groundwaters; and Component 4 is characterized by sodium sulfated with high fluoride facies. The components' spatial distribution shows high fluoride concentration along analyzed tectonic fault system and aligned on northeast direction in other areas, suggesting other hydrogeological fault systems. High fluoride concentration increases according to groundwater pumping depth. The Principal Component Analysis reveals features of the groundwater mixture and individualizes water facies. In this scenery, it can be determined hydrogeological blocks associated with tectonic fault system here introduced.
Highlights
Water scarcity and increasing human consumption requires new sources of water with adequate potability
The main aim of the current study is to understand the distribution of high-fluoride waters in the Serra Geral Aquifer System (SGAS) and to identify the hydrochemical types and their spatial distribution, using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
Component 2 is defined by SO24− and Cl−, and represents sulfated and chlorinated, calcium and sodium groundwaters
Summary
Water scarcity and increasing human consumption requires new sources of water with adequate potability. Like other chemical species, is beneficial to human health but can be toxic when pogenic contamination (fertilizer application, brick and aluminum smelters, sewage piles and other sources) or to a natural origin, such as prolonged water-rock interactions (Nordstrom et al 1989). The main aim of the current study is to understand the distribution of high-fluoride waters in the Serra Geral Aquifer System (SGAS) and to identify the hydrochemical types and their spatial distribution, using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA is an important tool for understanding the large quantity of data involved in extended aquifer studies (Invernizzi and Oliveira 2004). This aids to define geological sources and pathways for high fluoride, assisting future well locations and management of SGAS waters. Investigations about the source of high fluoride concentrations in previous studies had shown a relationship with tectonic structures and with pumping of deep groundwater
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