APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL-METHODS TO STUDY SEASONAL-VARIATION IN THEMINE CONTAMINANTS IN SOIL AND GROUNDWATER OF GOA, INDIA

Soil and groundwater samples were collected during two seasons, premon soon (April 1990) and postmonsoon (December 1990), and analyzed for ma jor elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn and Fe), trace elements (Ni, Pb, Co, Cr and Zn) and water parameters (pH, conductivity, acidi ty, alkalinity, hardness, Cl and SO4). All the data were subjected to linear discriminant analysis and partial correlation analysis in order to understand the seasonal variation in the data. It was observed fro m the Mahalanobis generalized distance that in both soil and groundwat er samples there was a large difference in the concentration level of premonsoon and postmonsoon data. Linear discriminant functions were ca lculated to distinguish between premonsoon and postmonsoon samples. Fr om the partial correlation coefficient analysis of soil samples, domin ance of chemical weathering and precipitation of atmospheric fallout d uring monsoon were inferred. In the case of the water samples, high co nductivity and high hardness in the postmonsoon samples as well as atm ospheric fallout of Pb and Ni during the premonsoon period was suggest ed from partial correlation of water samples.