Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy)
The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the significant subterranean water body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo” (Italy) was evaluated using multivariate statistical analysis methods, like principal component analysis and self-organizing maps (SOMs), with the objective to study the spatiotemp...
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/16/7595 |
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| author | Alessia Bastianoni Enrico Guastaldi Alessio Barbagli Stefano Bernardinetti Andrea Zirulia Mariantonietta Brancale Tommaso Colonna |
| author_facet | Alessia Bastianoni Enrico Guastaldi Alessio Barbagli Stefano Bernardinetti Andrea Zirulia Mariantonietta Brancale Tommaso Colonna |
| author_sort | Alessia Bastianoni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the significant subterranean water body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo” (Italy) was evaluated using multivariate statistical analysis methods, like principal component analysis and self-organizing maps (SOMs), with the objective to study the spatiotemporal relationships of the aquifer. The dataset used consisted of the chemical composition of groundwater samples collected between 2010 and 2018 at 16 wells distributed across the whole aquifer. For these wells, all major ions were determined. A self-organizing map of 4 × 8 was constructed to evaluate spatiotemporal changes in the water body. After SOM clustering, we obtained three clusters that successfully grouped all data with similar chemical characteristics. These clusters can be viewed to reflect the presence of three water types: (i) Cluster 1: low salinity/mixed waters; (ii) Cluster 2: high salinity waters; and (iii) Cluster 3: low salinity/fresh waters. Results showed that the major ions had the greater influence over the groundwater chemistry, and the difference in their concentrations allowed the definition of three clusters among the obtained SOM. Temporal changes in cluster assignment were only observed in two wells, located in areas more susceptible to changes in the water table levels, and therefore, hydrodynamic conditions. The result of the SOM clustering was also displayed using the classical hydrochemical approach of the Piper plot. It was observed that these changes were not as easily identified when the raw data were used. The spatial display of the clustering results, allowed the evaluation in a hydrogeological context in a quick and cost-effective way. Thus, our approach can be used to quickly analyze large datasets, suggest recharge areas, and recognize spatiotemporal patterns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:01:43Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:01:43Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c718b250ba1e4678961d128506bd24c22023-11-22T06:44:00ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-08-011116759510.3390/app11167595Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy)Alessia Bastianoni0Enrico Guastaldi1Alessio Barbagli2Stefano Bernardinetti3Andrea Zirulia4Mariantonietta Brancale5Tommaso Colonna6Institute of Earth Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, Caracas 1083, VenezuelaCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyCGT Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34-52027 San Giovanni Valdarno, ItalyThe hydrogeochemical characteristics of the significant subterranean water body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo” (Italy) was evaluated using multivariate statistical analysis methods, like principal component analysis and self-organizing maps (SOMs), with the objective to study the spatiotemporal relationships of the aquifer. The dataset used consisted of the chemical composition of groundwater samples collected between 2010 and 2018 at 16 wells distributed across the whole aquifer. For these wells, all major ions were determined. A self-organizing map of 4 × 8 was constructed to evaluate spatiotemporal changes in the water body. After SOM clustering, we obtained three clusters that successfully grouped all data with similar chemical characteristics. These clusters can be viewed to reflect the presence of three water types: (i) Cluster 1: low salinity/mixed waters; (ii) Cluster 2: high salinity waters; and (iii) Cluster 3: low salinity/fresh waters. Results showed that the major ions had the greater influence over the groundwater chemistry, and the difference in their concentrations allowed the definition of three clusters among the obtained SOM. Temporal changes in cluster assignment were only observed in two wells, located in areas more susceptible to changes in the water table levels, and therefore, hydrodynamic conditions. The result of the SOM clustering was also displayed using the classical hydrochemical approach of the Piper plot. It was observed that these changes were not as easily identified when the raw data were used. The spatial display of the clustering results, allowed the evaluation in a hydrogeological context in a quick and cost-effective way. Thus, our approach can be used to quickly analyze large datasets, suggest recharge areas, and recognize spatiotemporal patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/16/7595self-organizing mapshydrogeochemical statistical data analysisgroundwater body conceptualizationcoastal aquifer |
| spellingShingle | Alessia Bastianoni Enrico Guastaldi Alessio Barbagli Stefano Bernardinetti Andrea Zirulia Mariantonietta Brancale Tommaso Colonna Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) Applied Sciences self-organizing maps hydrogeochemical statistical data analysis groundwater body conceptualization coastal aquifer |
| title | Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) |
| title_full | Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) |
| title_fullStr | Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) |
| title_short | Multivariate Analysis Applied to Aquifer Hydrogeochemical Evaluation: A Case Study in the Coastal Significant Subterranean Water Body between “Cecina River and San Vincenzo”, Tuscany (Italy) |
| title_sort | multivariate analysis applied to aquifer hydrogeochemical evaluation a case study in the coastal significant subterranean water body between cecina river and san vincenzo tuscany italy |
| topic | self-organizing maps hydrogeochemical statistical data analysis groundwater body conceptualization coastal aquifer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/16/7595 |
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