Análise estatística R-Modal, Q-Modal e Cluster no estudo da qualidade da água subterrânea do aquífero Jandaíra na Chapada do Apodi

Abstract

Analyses of 15 hydrochemical parameters in groundwater from the Jandaíra aquifer of the Potiguar Basin were performed on two sets of wells, one with 97 wells sampled in the dry season and the other one with 80 wells sampled at the beginning of the rainy season. The wells are located in the townships of Baraúna and Mossoró, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, and in Jaguaruana, Quixeré, and Limoeiro do Norte, in the State of Ceará. Statistical treatment of data from each sampling applying R-modal Factor Analysis allowed to identify the processes responsible for the presence of minerals in the waters. During the dry season, Factor 1 indicates the importance of marine aerosol, mainly through the concentrations of chloride and sodium, and lithologocal influence through hardness. Factor 2 indicates dissolution of limestone, evidenced by the presence of bicarbonate and pH. In the rainy season, Factor 1 also reflects the influence of aerosol and hardness, but Factor 2 considers bicarbonate only, indicating recharge to the aquifer. In both simulations, the predominance of a single variable in the other factors indicates mixing of different water types and also reveals slight human impact. Q-modal Analysis done with all wells indicates as the group best correlated the wells of Baraúna, represented by Factor 1, followed by wells of Mossoró, represented by Factor 2. Cluster Analysis complemented Q-modal Analysis and allows to associate wells in groups, indicating a hydraulic connection between them or recharge through similar water. This analysis reveals equivalence between the First Group and Factor 1 of Q-modal Analysis and of the Second Group and Factor 2 of Q-modal Analysis. The First and Second Groups comprise more wells in the dry season than in the rainy one, when recharge contributes to mixing with water of different composition than that in the aquifer.