Original scientific paper
Published in: Holistic Approach Environ. 2(2012) 3, pp. 120 – 130
Paper reference number: HAE-35
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MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF POLLUTION INDICATORS OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER IN SPLIT AREA

Mladen Perišić^*, Mirjana Čurlin^**, Marija Bralić^***, Marijo Buzuk^***, Ljubica Šimac Peraica^****

^* The County of Split and Dalmatia, Department of environmental protection, Split, Croatia

^** Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

^*** Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Split, Croatia

^**** Water and Sewer service, Laboratory for Wastewater, Split, Croatia

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ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of continuous monitoring of 11 pollution indicators of municipal wastewater that were discharged into the natural recipient (the sea) at three locations in the Split area during four years (2006-2009). Experimental data were analysed by basic statistical methods for determination of mean and median values, standard deviations, minimal and maximal value of the measured parameters and their mutual correlation coefficients, normality test for all parameters and by different chemometric methods, such as cluster analysis (CA), factor analysis (FA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Multivariate statistical techniques for evaluation and interpretation of large complex data sets used in this study provide better insight into the information about water quality and make a decision concerning the design of monitoring network for effective management of water resources much easier.

Keywords: municipal wastewater, pollution indicators, statistical analysis, factor analysis, principal component analysis
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