Investigation of Water Quality Characteristics by Using Factor and Multidimensional Scaling Analyses in Porsuk River (Turkey)

Abstract

Surface water quality of the Porsuk river in Turkey is evaluated by using the factor analysis (FA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis in this study. These analyses were applied to the physical and inorganic chemical parameters obtained from the nine different water quality monitoring stations. Three factors were determined, which were responsible from the 67.35 % of total variance of the surface water quality in the river, when factor analysis was applied to the surface water quality dataset obtained from the monitoring stations. Multidimensional scaling analysis generated three groups and determined that Cl^–, Na⁺, SO₄^2- and COD are the most important parameters causing differences in the surface water quality. Thus, this study shows the usefulness of statistical analysis, including factor analysis and multidimensional scaling analyses, for helping decision makers in water quality management.