Multivariate factor assessment for lithogenic and anthropogenic distribution of macro and trace elements in water from Pčinja River Basin, North Macedonia

Abstract

In this work the distribution of chemical elements in surface water from the Pčinja River Basin, North Macedonia, was assessed. For this purpose, along the course of the Pčinja River, in accordance with a previously specified sampling network with 10 locations from the rivers and 4 locations from the Glažnja and Lipkovsko Lakes, the samples of surface water were collected in the period from June to July 2017. Apart from six locations on the river Pčinja, two samples were collected from the Tabanovska River and one sample each from the tributaries of Kumanovska River, Konjarska River and Kriva River. In all of the collected samples 22 macro and trace elements (Аg, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). A multivariate factor analysis was applied to analyze relations between the number of variables. The method includes the processing of information from a large number of original variables and their processing into a smaller set (factor) with minimal loss of information from the original variables. From the gathered results spatial distribution maps of factors for the separate groups were prepared as well as distribution maps for the analyzed elements. It was found that the distribution of most elements follows the lithology of the study area, except for some elements (Cu, P) whose increased concentrations are as a result of urban and agricultural and industrial activities.