Using Principal Component Analysis to Assess Water Quality from the Landing Stages in Coastal Region
Antoine Tamsa Arfao, Mamert Fils Onana, Ernest Koji, Luciane Marlyse Moungang, Olive Vivien Noah Ewoti, Joel Brice Tchuimaleu Emadjeu, Siméon Tchakonté, Awawou Manouore Njoya, Télesphore Sime‐Ngando, et Nola Moise
Abstract
Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensively evaluate the relationship between physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of water on banks of Wouri. At each sampling station, the physicochemical analysis focused on Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved CO2, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, nitrates, ammonium ions, orthophosphates, color, salinity, and turbidity. The bacteriological analysis consisted of the isolation of heterotrophic aerobe bacteria (HAB), faecal bacteria, and some pathogenic bacteria. PCA showed that two factorial axes F1 (49.48%) and F2 (25.18%) explained 74.67% of the total inertia. pH, Suspended Solids, electrical conductivity and color are significantly and positively correlated with each other and also significantly and positively correlated with the F1 axis. HAB, faecal bacteria, Shigellae, dissolved CO2 and salinity are significantly and positively correlated with each other and, are also significantly and negatively correlated with the F1 axis and with the previous group of variables. The F1 axis discriminates in the negative coordinates of the Youpwe 1 and 2 stations, characterized by a high content of orthophosphates, ammonium ions, and low oxygenation. There is also a high concentration of bacteria such as HAB, faecal coliforms and Salmonella. The calculation of FC/FS ratio reflects exclusively contamination of animal origin in all the sampled stations.