Research on Water Quality for Evaluation Using the Water Quality Index and Multivariate Statistical Approach of Evrenye Stream (Kastamonu, Türkiye)

Abstract

This study investigates and evaluates the spatial and temporal variations in the water quality of the Evrenye Stream by identifying the main pollutant sources using a water quality index and a multivariate statistical approach. Water quality data were obtained monthly in 2021 by considering 28 parameters from 10 stations. The parameters (PCA) constituting the main components of the water body are also used in calculating the water quality index. PCA was affected by four main factors explaining 83.69% of the total variance and pollutants from heavy metals are the pollutant source of this stream. It is thought that mining enterprises located in the river basin may be responsible for this pollution. The result of the Water Quality Index (WQI), which is applied according to the annual average data values, is generally determined as quality water. In the future, freshwater management of the basin, monitoring is recommended.