Variability in the Chemical Composition of Spring Waters in the Postomia River Catchment (Northwest Poland)

The paper presents the results of physicochemical analyses spring waters in Postomia River valley (Northwest Poland). Multivariate statistical methods, i.e., cluster analysis (CA) and principal component (PCA) were used to assess spatial distribution similarities differences concentrations individual elements. Concentrations macro elements (MEs), trace (TEs) rare-earth (REEs) analysed concerning spring’s typology, land use structure distance from roads. showed that springs are Ca2+-HCO3− Ca2+-HCO3−-SO42− types, medium hardness low mineralisation. study revealed between scarp-foot terms electrical conductivity F−, SO42−, NO3−, Mg2+, Ba, Zn, U. Greater variability was observed physical chemical conditions due their location use. Springs located agricultural areas had lower pH values than those other areas, higher NO3− concentrations. Fe, Mo, Rb, Th urban areas. Moreover, Cl−, K+, Na+, Sb, Se, Sr forested shows only HCO3− SO42− related road network. K+ more 50 m Ca PCA did not permit identification a single dominant origin pollutants, suggesting an interaction different types pollution sources.