Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Geochemical Characters of Pariyej Community Reservoir (PCR), Gujarat, India: A Multidimensional Software Approach
Description
The present investigation was carried out at Pariyej Community Reservoir (PCR), Gujarat, India; a freshwater inland wetland of national importance; listed in Asian Directory of Wetlands. The goal of this biannual investigation was to examine the seasonal alterations in geochemical characters during the six monthly gradients (April to September, 2021; Summer, Monsoon, Post-Monsoon) at three (PCR-1, 2, 3) pre-fixed transactional stations of PCR. The bottom sediment quality of freshwater inland wetland was monitored using nine geochemical parameters e.g. physical variable (EC), chemical variables (pH, Chloride, CaCo3, TOC, TOM) and nutrients variables (Sulphate, Phosphate, Nitrate). The bottom sediment of PCR-1 exhibited accentuated amount of pH (8.51), Chloride (25.76) and CaCo3 (45.83); PCR-2 with EC (600.00), TOC (1.75), TOM (3.01), Sulphate (3.44), Phosphate (2.96) and Nitrate (1.24), and PCR-3 with low to moderate amount of all studied parameters. The outputs of Descriptive Statistics revealed the accentuated amount of all geochemical characters at PCR-2 (74.98), followed by moderate contents at PCR-1 (71.43), and the least amount at PCR-3 (62.92). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed positive loading of EC (2.660) at PCR-1; PCR-2 with Chloride (0.917) and CaCO3 (2.349), and PCR-3 with EC (0.011), CaCO3 (1.200), TOC (0.376), TOM (0.484), Sulphate (0.020), Phosphate (0.479) and Nitrate (0.197). Among them, significant gradient was found in EC (2.660) at PCR-1, CaCO3 (2.349), and CaCO3 (1.200) at PCR-3. As per Standardized Principal Component Scores from Correlation Matrix, PCR was found to be enriched with lowest pollution load of EC (0.020), followed by moderate pollution load of Chloride (0.521), Nitrate (0.526) and TOC (0.537), and the peak pollution load of Phosphate (1.689). Moreover, the outcomes of the present study revealed that geochemical variables were more fluctuated at PCR-2 (197.22), followed by modest variation of geochemical constituents at PCR-1 (181.35), and the minimal oscillation of bottom sediment elements at PCR-3 (164.80). The geochemical status might be due to prolific and uncontrolled growth of Typha angustata (PCR-2), profuse span of Nelumbo nucifera (PCR-1) and meager subsistence of Phragmitis australis (PCR-3). The findings of this study signifies importance of PCR as a freshwater inland wetland of national importance in terms of sustainability and sanctity of bottom sediment quality, as it plays a key role in governing nutrient flux in between surface water and bottom sediment. As PCR provides continual water supply to many villages od Bhal Province and the mainland of Saurashtra Region, the present baseline study on wetland monitoring, geological regimes, sediment pollution and environmental sustainability will be proved en effective managerial tool for ecologists, environmentalists and biologists to conserve, protect and manage the prevailing freshwater wetland ecosystems of Gujarat, India.