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Deconvolving geochemical micro-spatial variability of an unconsolidated aquifer through chemometric and geostatistical techniques

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Abstract

Substrate properties are pivotal in shaping porewater chemistry and groundwater quality, serving as the primary driving factors. While spatial analysis of geochemical distribution has been extensively explored in hydrochemistry, the application of geostatistical techniques in tropical island soil investigation remains lacking. In this study, we aim to characterise the geochemical and micro-spatial variability of soil along the flow path of groundwater via integration of chemometric and geostatistical techniques. The study was conducted across a ~ 350 m2 area of unconsolidated soil profile (2.75 m depth × 125 m length) on a sedimentary island’s aquifer. The results revealed that multivariate statistical analysis coupling iso-factor scores maps can provide key insights to constraint the subsurface geochemical behaviour. Marine and lithogeneous (natural-derived) materials were found to significantly influence the metals distribution across the soil profile. Clay and sesquioxides (Al2O3 and Fe2O3) from the high-relief area appear to influence the micro-variability of the inland soil, while seawater mixing impacts the subsoil geochemistry. This study concludes that natural sources, pedogenic processes, and seawater intrusion are the major drivers of metals variability in the tropical island aquifer. These findings provided a scientific overview of metals distribution in a seawater–freshwater mixing zone and significant references for the vertical and horizontal distribution of metals in a sandy soil profile. In particular, the chemometric and geostatistical analysis can be potentially used as robust tools for investigating biogeochemical cycling and the source and sink of groundwater pollutants. It is envisaged that future studies could employ a similar approach to explore other islands worldwide.

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Fig. 1

(Adapted from: Lin et al. 2013)

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the supplementary materials or from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would also like to thank the Universiti Malaya, Faculty of Science—Grant Penyelidikan Fakulti (GPF087A-2020) awarded to Chin Yik Lin and Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, under the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) program (Vot. No. 63933 & Vot. No. 56051, UMT/CRIM/2-2/5 Jilid 2 (10)) for supporting Prof Lam to conduct this joint project.

Funding

Universiti Malaya, Faculty of Science—Grant Penyelidikan Fakulti (GPF087A-2020), GPF087A-2020, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, under the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) program, Vot. No. 63933 & Vot. No. 56051, UMT/CRIM/2-2/5 Jilid 2 (10).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Chin Yik Lin, Hijaz Kamal Hasnan & Noer El Hidayah

  2. Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Su Shiung Lam

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Su Shiung Lam

  4. Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Fu-Jun Yue

  5. Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Kayatri Govindaraju

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C.Y.L. did the analysis and wrote the main manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Lin, C.Y., Lam, S.S., Hasnan, H.K. et al. Deconvolving geochemical micro-spatial variability of an unconsolidated aquifer through chemometric and geostatistical techniques. Environ Earth Sci 83, 177 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11468-7

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