High-resolution mapping and multivariate technique (factor analysis) to support hydrogeochemical analysis and identification of surface water contamination

Abstract

The study presented a high-resolution regional mapping of a significant Brazilian watershed, which is heavily influenced by mining, agriculture, and domestic/industrial effluents. Upper São Francisco Basin encompasses the largest karst area in the country and includes three important Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga. Surface water (1418 samples) was collected during the dry season and was analyzed for physical-chemical parameters, cations, anions, and some metals. The spatial distribution and abundance of variables were assessed, and the processes controlling the sources of dissolved loads in surface waters were discussed. The results indicate that rock weathering is the primary factor controlling water chemistry, with a strong influence of carbonate and silicate minerals. Anthropogenic activities, particularly agriculture, play a key role in the chemical composition of the microbasins. Soil erosion and leaching processes also contribute significantly to the region, driven by land use practices and mineral extraction, which intensify erosion processes. The northern sector of the Upper São Francisco Basin, characterized by an arid climate and Caatinga vegetation, experiences low precipitation and high evapotranspiration rates. The VG stands out due to the presence of the karst zone and for the mixture of natural to anthropogenic sources.