Multivariate Statistical Analysis for the Surface Water Quality of Trepçaand Sitnica Rivers, Kosovo

Abstract

The study was performed to investigate the concentration of toxic heavy metals like As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the water of Trepça and Sitnica Rivers. It was observed that the concentration of most of the analyzed heavy metals was much higher than the European and Kosovo permissible limits. Water quality parameters including DO, BOD, conductivity, temperature, TDS, pH, and turbidity were measured in samples collected from 6 stations. The highest concentration of As, Cd, Pb and Zn originate primarily from anthropogenic sources such as discharge of industrial water from mining flotation and from the mine waste eroded from the river banks. Multivariate statistical analyses, such as cluster analysis (CA) were applied to evaluate water quality and to identify potential pollution sources of Trepça and the Sitnica River. Cluster analysis suggests that As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are derived from anthropogenic sources, particularly discharges from mining flotation and erosion from waste from a zinc mine plant.