majid kazemzadeh; arash malekian
Abstract
One of the most important dynamic ecosystems is river, awareness of spatio-temporal water quality changes of which is necessary. In this research, we studied the spatiotemporal water quality changes using three techniques of Cluster analysis (CA), Discriminant analysis (DA) and Principal Component analysis ...
Read More
One of the most important dynamic ecosystems is river, awareness of spatio-temporal water quality changes of which is necessary. In this research, we studied the spatiotemporal water quality changes using three techniques of Cluster analysis (CA), Discriminant analysis (DA) and Principal Component analysis (PCA) in the Aji-Chai watershed over 1981-2010. Applying clustering, we identified three homogeneities clusters. Stations which were labeled in the first cluster showed that they are located in the upstream of Aji-Chi River. In comparison with other stations, these stations showed better water quality and the lowest changeability. DA methods significantly determined the three functions which described about 73.50, 20.30 and 3.40% of total variances. In the other word, in general three functions described the 97.20% of the total variances. Also the DA methods revealed the HCO-3, SAR, Na+, SO42- and Ca2+ were the most important parameters affecting upon water quality, based on which it's possible to seperate homogenous clusters. Finally, the results of PCA showed that the first two factors were the most important factors of water quality changes in the Aji-Chai River Watershed. These factors described about 78.75 and 14.71% of the variances, respectively.