Multivariate statistics and hydrogeochemical modeling for source identification of major elements and heavy metals in the groundwater of Qareh-Ziaeddin plain, NW Iran

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the possible source of major and some minor elements and heavy metals in the groundwater of Qareh-Ziaeddin plain, NW Iran with respect to chemical elements, saturation index, and multivariate statistics including correlation coefficient, cluster analysis, and factor analysis. Groundwater samples were collected in Jun 2016 and measured with respect to EC, pH, major and some minor elements and heavy metals including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Al, and As. Among all the measured parameters, some of the samples exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value for EC, Na, Mg, HCO3, SO4, Cl, NO3, F, As, Zn, and Pb. The results of correlation analysis show that weathering and dissolution of minerals especially evaporites and silicates, water-rock interaction, and cation exchange are dominant occurred processes in the groundwater of the study area. Also, denitrification process is occurred in the groundwater system. Cluster analysis categorizes the samples into three distinct groups which are different based on their EC and dependent variables, e.g., Na, Ca, Cl, SO4 and pH, Pb, Cd, and As. It can be found that volcanic, evaporite, and clay formations have the least impact on the chemistry of the cluster 1 samples while clay and evaporite formations have the highest impact on the cluster 3 and also calcareous formations on cluster 2. Factor analysis shows that five factors, with total variance of 83%, are effective in the release of heavy metals and groundwater chemistry which are mostly geogenic.