Multi-way modeling of hydro-chemical data of an alluvial river system—A case study

A large data set pertaining to water quality of an alluvial river was analyzed using multi-way data analysis methods with a view to extract the hidden information, spatial and temporal variation trends in the river water quality. Four-way data (8 monitoring sites × 22 water quality variables × 10 monitoring years × 12 sampling months) analysis was performed using PARAFAC and Tucker3 models. A two component PARAFAC model, although explained 35.1% of the data variance, could not fit to the data set. Tucker3 model of optimum complexity (2,3,1,3) explaining 39.7% of the data variance, allowed interpretation of the data information in four modes. The model explained spatial and temporal variation trends in terms of water quality variables during the study period and revealed that sampling sites in mid-stretch of the river were dominated mainly by the variables of anthropogenic origin. The results delineated the mid stretch of the river as critical from pollution point of view and also identified summer months as having high influence on river water quality in this stretch. The information regarding spatial and temporal variations in water quality generated by the four-way modeling of data would be useful in developing long-term water resources management strategies in the river basin.