The use of principal component analysis for the assessment of the spatial variability of curative waters from the Busko-Zdrój and Solec-Zdrój region (Poland) – preliminary results

Abstract

Abstract In the Busko-Zdrój and Solec-Zdrój region (Poland), curative waters with different concentrations of sulphur(II) compounds are extracted. In this paper, waters from 14 intakes were considered. The waters analysed are chloride-sodium, sulphide, iodide (Cl–Na, S, I) or chloride-sodium, sulphide (Cl–Na, S) and are especially associated with deep circulation systems (Jurassic limestones) or shallow circulation systems mostly connected with Cretaceous formations (Senonian marls and limestones and Cenomanian sands and sandstones). The aim of this research is to evaluate the similarities or differences between samples of curative water taken from different geological formations and locations. Principal component analysis was used to assess the similarities between samples of curative waters collected from the intakes being examined. Two principal components were extracted. The analysis indicated that there is a difference between the chemical composition of waters taken from different stratigraphies. Water samples from Cretaceous formations of Cenomanian and Senonian age are similar. There is a small difference observed for waters abstracted from the Neogene and Cretaceous. However, these differences mostly resulted from SO42− and Ca2+ concentrations.