Chemometrics of the Environment: Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwater in Lioua Plain (North Africa) Using Time Series and Multivariate Statistical Analysis

This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of Lioua’s groundwater in order determine geological processes influencing and origin its elements. Therefore, chemometrics techniques, such as multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) time series methods (TSM) are used. Indeed, MSA includes a component (PCA) cluster (CA), while autocorrelation (AA), supplemented by simple spectral density (SDA), is used for TMS. PCA displays three main factors explaining total variance (TV) 85.01 %. Factors 1, 2, 3 68.72%, 11.96%, 8.89 % TV, respectively. In CA, dissolved solids (TDS) electrical conductivity (EC) controlled groups. The elements SO42?, K+, Ca2+ closely related TDS, Na+, Cl?, Mg2+ CE, HCO3? NO3? indicate dissociation other AA shows linear interrelationship EC, Mg2+, SO42?. However, uncorrelated characteristics with parameters. For SDA, correlograms SO42? have similar trend EC. Nonetheless, pH, Ca2+, exhibit multiple peaks presence several distinct cyclic mechanisms. Using these authors were able draw following conclusion: geochemical impacting (i) dissolution evaporated mineral deposits, (ii) water–rock interaction, (iii) evaporation process. addition, exhibits two bipolar characteristics, one recorded negative positive charges on pH Ca+ another only NO3?. On hand, TDS major predominant groundwater’s composition. Chloride mainly increases water. lithological factor dominant overall mineralization Plio Quaternary surface aquifer waters. origins follows: has carbonate origin, whereas NO3– an anthropogenic origin. salinity was affected HCO3?, result from human activity usage fertilizers, facies outcrops, domestic sewage.