Characterization and statistical study of water quality based on physicochemical parameters: Case study of Salamat Province (South Eastern, Chad)

The statistical study and characterization of groundwater quality were calculated based on physicochemical parameters. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of groundwater in the province of Salamat. A total of 25 boreholes were selected. The data used were physicochemical parameters (TDS, EC, T°, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, and NO₃⁻). Multivariate statistical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and a correlation matrix, were used to define the main parameters controlling the hydrochemistry of groundwater in the province of Salamat. The results showed that the water is within the range recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Principal component analysis yielded three significant factors, accounting for 47.22% of the total variance and highlighting the primary processes governing groundwater chemistry. This study will serve as a starting point for an in-depth study of groundwater quality to understand the factors controlling the physicochemical processes of groundwater in the province of Salamat.