Water Quality Assessment of 14 Reservoirs in Geum River Basin Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis

Abstract

Objectives : 14 reservoirs in the Geum river watershed were clustered and classified using the results of factor analysis based on water quality characteristics. Also, correlation analysis between pollutants (land system, living system, livestock system) and water quality characteristics was performed to elucidate the effect of pollutants on water quality.Methods : Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and factor analysis (FA) using water quality data of 14 reservoirs in the Geum river watershed during the last 5 years (2014-2018) were performed to derive the principal components. Then, correlation analysis between principal components and pollutants was performed to verify the feasibility of clustering.Results and Discussion : From the factor analysis (FA) using water quality data of 14 reservoirs in the Geum river watershed, three to six principal components (PCs) were extracted and extracted PCs explained approximately 74% of overall variations in water quality. As a result of clustering reservoirs based on the extracted PCs, the reservoirs clustered by nitrogen and seasonal PCs were Ganwol, Geumgang, and Sapgyo, the reservoirs clustered by organic pollution and internal production PCs were Tapjung, Dae, Seokmun, and Yongdam, the reservoirs clustered by organic pollution, internal production, and phosphorus are Bunam, Yedang, and Cheongcheon, and finally the remaining Boryeong, Daecheong, Chopyeong, and Songak were clustered as other factors. From the correlation analysis between principal components and pollutants, significant correlation between the land, living, and livestock pollutants and water quality characteristics was found in Ganwol, Topjeong, Daeho, Bunam, and Daecheong. These reservoirs are considered to require continuous and careful management of specific (land, living, livestock) pollutants. In terms of water quality and pollutant management, the Ganwol, Sapgyo, and Seokmunho are considered to implement intensive measures to improve water quality and to reduce the input of various pollutants.Conclusions : Although the water quality of the reservoir is a result of complex interactions such as influent water factors, morphological and hydrological factors, internal production factors, and various pollutants, optimized watershed and water quality management measures can be implemented through multivariate statistical analysis.