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Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences (IJPAB)
Year : 2021, Volume : 9, Issue : 2
First page : (272) Last page : (283)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8661

Multidimensional Analysis for the Assessment of the Physicochemical Quality of Waters in the Chaillu Massif (Republic of Congo)

MBILOU Urbain Gampio¹, NGOUALA MABONZO Médard^2* and OBAMI-ONDON Harmel^3
1Water-environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology,
³Mechanics, Energetics and Engineering Laboratory, National Polytechnic School,
Marien Ngouabi University, B.P. 69 Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
²Laboratory of Geography, Environment and Planning (LAGEA), Faculty of Letters,
Arts and Human Sciences, University Marien Ngouabi, B.P. 69 Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
*Corresponding Author E-mail: medngouala@yahoo.fr
Received: 6.03.2021 | Revised: 10.04.2021 | Accepted: 16.04.2021 

 ABSTRACT

The supply of drinking water to rural populations is ensured by spring water and rivers in the Chaillu massif in the southwest of the Republic of Congo. The objective of this study is to evaluate the different physicochemical parameters that govern the hydrochemistry of these waters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Ascending Hierarchical Classification (CAH) were applied to the chemical data of 13 sampled water points. The average water temperature is 24, 20 ° C with an average pH of 6, 72. The average electrical conductivity is 41, 28 μS / cm with extreme values ​​between 26, 00 and 81, 00 μS / cm. These waters are suitable for consumption outside certain water points whose lead concentrations are higher than WHO standards. Three principal components accumulate a total variance of 63,168% of the 17 variables. PCA and CAH highlight three hydrogeochemical processes in the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater. Acid hydrolysis of silicates produces Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42- ions in water. Redox appears to be the source of iron and manganese. The concentrations of NO3- and Cl- are related to the decomposition of organic matter. The hydrochemistry of the water in this massif is governed by natural factors.

Keywords: Congo, Chaillu massif, Hydrochemistry, Surface water, Groundwater.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Gampio, M.U., Médard, N. M., & Harmel, O. O. (2021). Multidimensional Analysis for the Assessment of the Physicochemical Quality of Waters in the Chaillu Massif (Republic of Congo), Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. 9(2), 272-283. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8661