Estimation of the lake water pollution by determination of 18 elements using ICP-MS method and their statistical analysis

Eighteen elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr and Zn) were determined in water taken from Malta Lake. All the analyses were made using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method (ICP-MS). In our investigations we focused on the variability of the element content in water from a number of sampling stations and over different seasons. The obtained results were submitted to statistical analysis. First, the results were interpreted using the analysis of variance test (ANOVA). This has revealed differences in concentration for the majority of elements with regard to seasons. Then, cluster analysis (CA) and factor analysis (FA) were applied to explore similarities between sampling stations. Neither of these have demonstrated any grouping. Finally, factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), applied to show the grouping of elements, revealed how different sampling stations are related to each other.