Abstract
The application of multivariate statistical techniques including cluster analysis and principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) was successfully used to classify the river pollution level in Taiwan and identify possible pollution sources. Water quality and heavy metal monitoring data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) was evaluated for 14 major rivers in four regions of Taiwan with the Erren River classified as the most polluted river in the country. Biochemical oxygen demand (6.1 ± 2.38), ammonia (3.48 ± 3.23), and total phosphate (0.65 ± 0.38) mg/L concentration in this river was the highest of the 14 rivers evaluated. In addition, heavy metal levels in the following rivers exceeded the Taiwan EPA standard limit (lead: 0.01, copper: 0.03, and manganese: 0.03) mg/L concentration: lead-in the Dongshan (0.02 ± 0.09), Jhuoshuei (0.03 ± 0.03), and Xinhuwei Rivers (0.02 ± 0.02) mg/L; copper: in the Dahan (0.036 ± 0.097), Laojie (0.06 ± 1.77), and Erren Rivers are (0.05 ± 0.158) mg/L; manganese: in all rivers. A total 72% of the water pollution in the Erren River was estimated to originate from industrial sources, 16% from domestic black water, and 12% from natural sources and runoff from other tributaries. Our research demonstrated that applying PCA-MLR and cluster analysis on long-term monitoring water quality would provide integrated information for river water pollution management and future policy making.
Highlights
Surface water quality is a matter of critical concern in developing countries because of growing population, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization [1]
Our research demonstrated that applying principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-multiple linear regression (MLR)) and cluster analysis on long-term monitoring water quality would provide integrated information for river water pollution management and future policy making
According to the cluster analysis, the most severe water quality pollution problem can be found in the Erren River in Southern Taiwan
Summary
Surface water quality is a matter of critical concern in developing countries because of growing population, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization [1]. Rivers are the most vulnerable to pollution because of their role in carrying agricultural run-off and municipal and industrial wastewater [2]. Water quality experts and decision makers are confronted with significant challenges in their efforts to manage surface water resources due to these complex issues [3]. The national income and standard of living in Taiwan have considerably improved following the nation’s focus on economic development [5]. Rapid industrial development in Taiwan, including increased vehicle use, electrical power generation, and manufacturing of food, beverages, Water 2018, 10, 1394; doi:10.3390/w10101394 www.mdpi.com/journal/water
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