Factor analysis in the geochemical studies along the Gediz river, Turkey

Water samples collected from 321 sampling points at I km intervals at a site located close to the industrial and geological areas in the Gediz river were analysed for U, Ra, Na, Mg, Mn, K. Ni, Cd, Co, Pb, Al, Fe, Cr, Zn, Cu and Ca. Heavy metal concentrations in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, laser excited fluorescence, and radon collector chamber. Factor analysis was used to describe the relationship among 16 elements. Four factors were extracted and they account for 67% of the total variance in the data. These factors are named as industry, sea, agriculture and geology. According to this result, not only industrial plants but also geological structure and agricultural activities were seen to contribute in polluting of the river water. Beside, these factors have shown that a lot of agricultural activities and a sharp increase in the population of the Gediz basin, and industrial development related to above reasons speed up pollution of water sources and become a potential risk on the unpolluted sources