Temporal and Spatial Water Quality Assessment of the Geumho River, Korea, Using Multivariate Statistics and Water Quality Indices

Abstract

The Geumho River in South Korea passes through a metropolitan area with a high population density and multiple industrial complexes; therefore, the water quality of this river is of significance for human health and economic activities. This study assesses the water quality of the Geumho River to inform river water quality management and improve pollution control using multivariate statistics and the Korean Water Quality Index (KWQI). Principal component and factor analyses identified factors related to organic pollutants and metabolism (principal factor 1) and phosphorus and fecal coliform content (principal factor 2). Based on the results of the cluster analysis, it was classified into four groups in time and three groups in space. Six temporal variables and seven spatial variables were extracted from discriminant analysis results; the most important water quality variables were high during the spring and summer seasons and in the midstream and downstream regions. Temporally, the KWQI was the highest in winter and the lowest in spring; spatially, the KWQI was the highest in the upstream and the lowest in the midstream sections. These results indicate that to improve effectiveness, water management interventions in the Geumho River should focus on the urban midstream section and spring season.