CARACTERISATION ET CLASSIFICATION EMPIRIQUE, GRAPHIQUE ET STATISTIQUE MULTIVARIABLE D’EAUX DE SOURCE EMBOUTEILLEES DE L’ALGERIE

Abstract

This study aimed to physico-chemical characterization and classification of Algerian bottled spring water, by analyzing: characteristics ratios of major elements, Piper diagram, Stuyfzand Classification, correlation matrix, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis ²HCA² and Principal Component Analysis ²PCA². The results of empirical, graphical and multivariate statistical investigations permitted characterization of bottled spring water of Algeria, identification of various chemical facies and contributed to the classification of different types of bottled spring water. Using multivariate techniques in combination with empirical and graphical techniques, classifies bottled spring water in two groups. Water facies of the first group is Cl-SO₄-Ca-Mg, while the second group is characterized by HCO₃-Ca-Mg facies.