ASSESSMENT OF SEAWATER INTRUSION IN A COASTAL AQUIFER BY USING CORRELATION, PRINCIPAL COMPONENT, AND FACTOR-ANALYSES

Hydrogeochemical characterization of the Erzin Plain coastal aquifer h as been accomplished in this research to investigate the spatial and t ransient behavior of its water quality. The aquifer is located along t he Mediterranean coast and forms one of the most productive aquifers i n Turkey. Chemical analyses of groundwater samples collected from the aquifer during 1964-1968 (128 samples), May 1993 (30 samples), October 1993 (37 samples), and June 1994 (20 samples) constitute the availabl e groundwater quality data set. The characteristics of the groundwater samples were evaluated statistically by correlation, principal compon ent, and factor analyses to investigate interrelations among various g roundwater quality and aquifer property parameters and to assess the o ccurrence of seawater intrusion. Application of principal component an d factor analyses yielded two groups of variables indicative of seawat er and freshwater. The basin is being contaminated by seawater, althou gh it was not possible to locate the intrusion due to lack of sufficie nt data. The study emphasizes that management policies be reorganized for optimal use of the aquifer.