An innovative technique of measuring the intensities of major sources of variation in the hydrochemistry of (ground) water in a basin has been developed. This technique, which is based on the combination of R-mode factor and multiple regression analyses, can be used to measure the degrees of influence of the major sources of variation in the hydrochemistry without measuring the concentrations of the entire set of physico-chemical parameters which are often used to characterize water systems. R-mode factor analysis was applied to the data of 13 physico-chemical parameters and 50 samples in order to determine the major sources of variation in the hydrochemistry of some aquifers in the western region of Ghana. In this study, three sources of variation in the hydrochemistry were distinguished: the dissolution of chlorides and sulfates of the major cations, carbonate mineral dissolution, and silicate mineral weathering. Two key parameters were identified with each of the processes and multiple regression models were developed for each process. These models were tested and found to predict these processes quite accurately, and can be applied anywhere within the terrain. This technique can be reliably applied in areas where logistical constraints limit water sampling for whole basin hydrochemical characterization. Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) applied to the data revealed three major groundwater associations distinguished on the basis of the major causes of variation in the hydrochemistry. The three groundwater types represent Na–HCO3, Ca–HCO3, and Na–Cl groundwater types. Silicate stability diagrams suggest that all these groundwater types are mainly stable in the kaolinite and montmorillonite fields suggesting moderately restricted flow conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abu-Jaber N 2001 Geochemical evolution and recharge of the shallow aquifers at Tulul al Ashaqif, NE Jordan; Environ. Geol. 41 372–383.
Akabzaa T M and Yidana S M 2012 An integrated approach to environmental risk assessment of cumulatively impacted drainage basin from mining activities in southwestern Ghana; J. Environ. Earth Sci. 65 291–312.
Anazawa K and Ohmori H 2005 The hydrochemistry of surface waters in Andesitic Volcanic area, Norikura volcano, central Japan; Chemosphere 59 605–615.
Antonellini M, Mollema P, Giambastiani B, Bishop K, Caruso L, Minchio A, Pellegrini L, Sabia M, Ulazzi E and Gabbianelli G 2008 Salt water intrusion in the coastal aquifer of the southern Po Plain, Italy; Hydrogeol. 16 1541–1556.
Apambire W B, Boyle D R and Michel F A 1997 Geochemistry, genesis, and health implications of fluoriferous groundwaters in the upper regions of Ghana; Environ. Geol. 33 13–24.
Appelo C A J and Postma D 2005 Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution; 2nd edn, Balkerma, Netherlands.
Banoeng-Yakubo B, Yidana S M and Nti E 2009 An evaluation of the genesis and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in the Volta region, Ghana; Environ. Geol. 57 1005–1010.
Cloutier V, Lefebvre R, Therrien R and Savard M M 2008 Multivariate statistical analysis of geochemical data as indicative of the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in a sedimentary rock aquifer system; J. Hydrol. 353 294–313.
Coetsiers M and Walravens K 2006 Chemical characterization of the Noegene Aquifer, Belgium; Hydrogeol. 14 1556–1568.
Dickson K B and Benneh G 1980 A new geography of Ghana; Longmans Group Limited, London.
Dickson K B and Benneh G 1995 A new geography of Ghana, 3rd edn, Longman, Malaysia.
Drever J I 1988 The Geochemistry of Natural Waters; 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Gibbs R J 1970 Mechanisms controlling world water chemistry; Science 17 1088–1090.
Güler C and Thyne G D 2004 Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling surface and Groundwater chemistry in Indian wells – Owens Valley area, southeastern California, USA; J. Hydrol. 285 177–198.
Güler C, Thyne G D, McCray J E and Turner A K 2002 Evaluation of graphical and multivariate statistical methods for classification of water chemistry data; Hydrogeol. J. 10 455–474.
Helstrup T, Jorgensen N O and Banoeng-Yakubo B 2007 Investigation of hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater from the Cretaceous–Eocene limestone in southern Ghana and southern Togo using hierarchical cluster analysis; Hydrogeology 15 977–989.
Hiscock K M 2005 Hydrogeology, Principles and Practice; Blackwell Publishing, Malden Massachusset, USA.
Jiang J, Wu Y, Groves C, Yuan D and Kambesis P 2009 Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the groundwater quality in the Nandong karst underground river system in Yunan, China; J. Contam. Hydrol. 109 49–61.
Jorgensen N O and Banoeng-Yakubo B K 2001 Environmental isotopes (18O, 2H, and 87Sr/86Sr) as a tool in groundwater investigations in the Keta Basin, Ghana; Hydrogeology 9 190–201.
Junner N R 1940 Geology of the Gold Coast and Western Togo; Bulletin No. 11.
Junner N R, Hirst T and Service H 1942 Tarkwa Goldfield; Memoir, No. 6 Gold Coast Geological Survey.
Kaiser H F 1960 The application of electronic computers to factor analysis; Educ. Psychol. Meas. 20 141–151.
Kesse G O 1985 The mineral and rock resources of Ghana; AA Balkema, Rotterdam, Boston.
Kim K O, Yun S-T, Choi B-Y, Chae G-T, Joo Y, Kim K and Kim H-S 2009 Hydrochemical and multivariate statistical interpretations of spatial controls of nitrate concentrations in a shallow alluvial aquifer around oxbow lakes (Osong area, central Korea). J. Contam. Hydrol. 107 114–127.
Kortatsi B K 2004 Hydrochemistry of groundwater in the mining area of Tarkwa–Prestea, Ghana. Unpublished Ph. D thesis. 103 p.
Kortatsi B K 2007 Hydrochemical framework of groundwater in the Ankobra Basin, Ghana; Aquat. Geochem. 13 41–74.
Krauskopf K B 1956 Dissolution and precipitation of silica at low temperatures; Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 10 1–26.
Meng S X and Maynard J B 2001 Use of statistical analysis to formulate conceptual models of geochemical behavior: Water chemical data from Butucatu aquifer in Sao Paulo State, Brazil; J. Hydrol. 250 78–97.
Thyne G, Guler C and Poeter E 2004 Sequential analysis of hydrochemical data for watershed characterization; Ground Water 42 711–723, doi:10D1111/j.1745–6584D2004.tb02855.x.
Trabelsi R, Zairi M and Dhia B H 2007 Groundwater salinization of the Sfax superficial aquifer, Tunisia; Hydrogeol. J. 15 1341–1355.
Wen X, Wu Y, Su J, Zhang Y and Liu F 2005 Hydrochemical characteristics and salinity of groundwater in the Ejina Basin, Northwestern China; Environ. Geol. 48 665–675.
World Health Organization (WHO) 2003 Guidelines for drinking water quality; Revision of the 1993 Guidelines. Final Task Group Meeting, Geneva, 21–25 September 1992.
Yidana S M 2008 Management of groundwater for productive uses in the Afram Plains area, Ghana; PhD dissertation, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA.
Yidana S M, Banoeng-Yakubo B and Akabzaa T 2010 Analysis of groundwater quality using multivariate and spatial analyses in the Keta basin, Ghana; J. African Earth Sci. 58 220–234.
Yidana S M, Ophori D and Banoeng-Yakubo B 2008a A multivariate statistical analysis of surface water chemistry – the Ankobra Basin, Ghana; Environ. Manag. 86 80–87.
Yidana S M, Ophori D and Banoeng-Yakubo B 2008b Hydrochemical evaluation of the Volta Basin: The Afram Plains area; J. Environ. Manag. 88 697–707.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
YIDANA, S.M., BANOENG-YAKUBO, B. & SAKYI, P.A. Identifying key processes in the hydrochemistry of a basin through the combined use of factor and regression models. J Earth Syst Sci 121, 491–507 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-012-0163-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-012-0163-0