Use of Statistical Methods in Water Quality Assessment: A Case Study of Balkan Arboretum Area in Trakya University (Edirne, Turkey)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of freshwater resources of Balkan Arboretum Area located in Trakya University (Güllapoğlu Stream, Artificial Pond and Güllapoğlu Well) by a statistical approach using Pearson Correlation Index (PCI), Factor Analysis (FA) and Cluster Analysis (CA). For this purpose, total of 9 water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, pH, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulphate and cyanide) were measured in water samples, which were collected monthly from 5 stations between the dates of June 2013 – October 2013. According to results of PCI, significant relations were recorded between temperature – nitrate and nitrate – sulphate parameters (p<0.01). According to results of FA, 2 factors named as "Agricultural Factor" and "Climatic Factor" explained 56.66% of the total
variance. According to CA, 3 statistically significant clusters were formed, which were corresponded to Lentic and Lotic 1; Lotic 2 and Lotic 3; and Well stations.