The specific objectives of this research were to quantify the effects of certain environmental factors on the relative strength loss of soil-cement subjected to compaction delay and to develop a numerical tool that can be easily used by engineers and contractors for determining a maximum compaction delay time for a given project. These objectives were addressed through extensive laboratory work and statistical analyses. The laboratory work involved testing an aggregate base material and a subgrade soil, each treated with two levels of cement. Environmental factors included in the experimentation were wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity, and three levels of each were evaluated in combination with varying compaction delay times. The primary response variables in this research were relative compaction and relative strength. The findings indicate that relative strength is sensitive to variability among the selected independent variables within the ranges investigated in this research, while relative compaction is not. Inferring relative strength from relative compaction is therefore not a reliable approach on soil-cement projects. Consistent with theory, higher wind speed, higher air temperature, lower relative humidity, and higher compaction delay time generally result in lower relative strength. With the nomographs developed in this research, the maximum delay time permitted for compaction of either a base or subgrade material similar to those tested in this research can be determined. Knowing in advance how much time is available for working the soil-cement will help contractors schedule their activities more appropriately and ultimately produce higher quality roads. When acceptable compaction delays are not obtainable due to adverse environmental conditions, a contractor may consider using set retarder, mixing at water contents above OMC, or constructing at night as possible solutions for achieving target relative strength values.

No description available.

In the Beaufort Sea, freshwater input from the Mackenzie River creates a relatively warm and turbid plume across the coastal shelf region. To determine the effects of the Mackenzie River plume on marine larval fish abundance, distribution and assemblages; this study sampled larval fish by using 500 μm bongo nets and obtaining oceanographic measurements across the plume gradient during July and August of 2007. Three larval fish assemblages were identified within three water masses: the intense plume assemblage was dominated by Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii pallasii), the diffuse plume assemblage was dominated by the sub-family Lumpeninae and the oceanic assemblage was dominated by Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida). Also, results revealed that there were no significant differences in the total larval fish abundances within these water masses. In conclusion, this study suggests that the Mackenzie River plume might be identified as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA), based on the uniqueness criteria under Canada’s coastal conservation strategy.

<p><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"> <p align="left">Groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas like the Karoo region of South Africa is an important source of domestic, agricultural and industrial source of fresh water. As a scarce resource, it requires extensive quality control and protection through innovative methods and efficient strategies. The town of Beaufort West and its vicinity use groundwater as a major source of municipal and private water supply. Forty nine groundwater samples were collected from spatially referenced boreholes located in and around the town of Beaufort West and were analyzed for <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">EC, pH, <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">TDS,<font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">TH, SAR, TA, Ca</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Mg</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, K</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, HCO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3-</font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Cl</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">-</font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, NO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3- </font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and SO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">42- </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="3">according to&nbsp / <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">SANS 241 standards and tested for ionic balance. The groundwater of the study area was characterized using WHO and South African drinking water quality standards as well as TDS and Salinity hazard classifications. These comparisons and classifications characterized the groundwater of the study area as hard to very hard, with low to medium salinity hazard. These results are in accordance with the dominance of the ions Ca</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, HCO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3 - </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and Cl</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">- </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">in the groundwater samples. Linear relationships between the hydrochemical variables were analysed through correlation and multiple regression analysis to relate the groundwater quality to the underlying hydrogeochemical processes. These linear relationships explained the contribution of the measured variables towards the salinity, hardness and anthropogenic contamination of the groundwater. The groundwater of the study area was also assessed using conventional trilinear diagrams and scatter plots to interpret the water quality and determine the major ion chemistry. The conventional methods highlighted the sources of the hydrochemical variables through analysis and interpretation of rock-water interaction and evaporations processes. To supplement <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">these conventional methods and reveal hidden hydrogeochemical phenomenon, multivariate statistical analyses were employed. Factor analysis reduced the hydrochemical variables into three factors (Hardness, Alkalinity and Landuse) that characterize the groundwater quality in relation to the source of its hydrochemistry. Furthermore, combination of Cluster (CA) and Discriminant analyses (DA) were used to classify the groundwater in to different hydrochemical facies and determine the dominant hydrochemical variables that characterize these facies. The classification results were also compared with the trilinear diagrammatic interpretations to highlight the advantages of these multivariate statistical methods. The CA and DA classifications resulted in to six different hydrochemical facies that are characterized by NO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3 -</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+ </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and pH. These three hydrochemical variables explain 93.9% of the differences between the water types and highlight the influence of natural hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality. All the univariate, bivariate, multivariate statistical and conventional hydrogeochemical analyses results were analyzed spatially using ArcGIS 10.0. The spatial analysis employed the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method to predict spatial distribution of unmeasured areas and reclassification of the interpolation results for classification purposes. The results of the different analyses methods employed in the thesis illustrate that the groundwater in the study area is generally hard but permissible in the absence of better alternative water source and useful for irrigation.</font></font></font></font></font></font></p> </font></p>

<p><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"> <p align="left">Groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas like the Karoo region of South Africa is an important source of domestic, agricultural and industrial source of fresh water. As a scarce resource, it requires extensive quality control and protection through innovative methods and efficient strategies. The town of Beaufort West and its vicinity use groundwater as a major source of municipal and private water supply. Forty nine groundwater samples were collected from spatially referenced boreholes located in and around the town of Beaufort West and were analyzed for <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">EC, pH, <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">TDS,<font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">TH, SAR, TA, Ca</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Mg</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, K</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, HCO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3-</font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Cl</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">-</font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, NO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3- </font></font><font size="3" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and SO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">42- </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="3">according to&nbsp / <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">SANS 241 standards and tested for ionic balance. The groundwater of the study area was characterized using WHO and South African drinking water quality standards as well as TDS and Salinity hazard classifications. These comparisons and classifications characterized the groundwater of the study area as hard to very hard, with low to medium salinity hazard. These results are in accordance with the dominance of the ions Ca</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">2+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, HCO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3 - </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and Cl</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">- </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">in the groundwater samples. Linear relationships between the hydrochemical variables were analysed through correlation and multiple regression analysis to relate the groundwater quality to the underlying hydrogeochemical processes. These linear relationships explained the contribution of the measured variables towards the salinity, hardness and anthropogenic contamination of the groundwater. The groundwater of the study area was also assessed using conventional trilinear diagrams and scatter plots to interpret the water quality and determine the major ion chemistry. The conventional methods highlighted the sources of the hydrochemical variables through analysis and interpretation of rock-water interaction and evaporations processes. To supplement <font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">these conventional methods and reveal hidden hydrogeochemical phenomenon, multivariate statistical analyses were employed. Factor analysis reduced the hydrochemical variables into three factors (Hardness, Alkalinity and Landuse) that characterize the groundwater quality in relation to the source of its hydrochemistry. Furthermore, combination of Cluster (CA) and Discriminant analyses (DA) were used to classify the groundwater in to different hydrochemical facies and determine the dominant hydrochemical variables that characterize these facies. The classification results were also compared with the trilinear diagrammatic interpretations to highlight the advantages of these multivariate statistical methods. The CA and DA classifications resulted in to six different hydrochemical facies that are characterized by NO</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">3 -</font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">, Na</font><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"><font size="1" face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">+ </font></font><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT">and pH. These three hydrochemical variables explain 93.9% of the differences between the water types and highlight the influence of natural hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality. All the univariate, bivariate, multivariate statistical and conventional hydrogeochemical analyses results were analyzed spatially using ArcGIS 10.0. The spatial analysis employed the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method to predict spatial distribution of unmeasured areas and reclassification of the interpolation results for classification purposes. The results of the different analyses methods employed in the thesis illustrate that the groundwater in the study area is generally hard but permissible in the absence of better alternative water source and useful for irrigation.</font></font></font></font></font></font></p> </font></p>

In the Beaufort Sea, freshwater input from the Mackenzie River creates a relatively warm and turbid plume across the coastal shelf region. To determine the effects of the Mackenzie River plume on marine larval fish abundance, distribution and assemblages; this study sampled larval fish by using 500 μm bongo nets and obtaining oceanographic measurements across the plume gradient during July and August of 2007. Three larval fish assemblages were identified within three water masses: the intense plume assemblage was dominated by Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii pallasii), the diffuse plume assemblage was dominated by the sub-family Lumpeninae and the oceanic assemblage was dominated by Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida). Also, results revealed that there were no significant differences in the total larval fish abundances within these water masses. In conclusion, this study suggests that the Mackenzie River plume might be identified as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA), based on the uniqueness criteria under Canada’s coastal conservation strategy.

Glaciated shelves develop under the influence of a more complex suite of processes than most non-glaciated shelves. Amongst the specific processes are the glacially-influenced sediment supply and the glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA), which is largely responsible for the complex nature of regional relative sea-levels (RSLs). This study first characterizes the impact of GIA on the Mackenzie-Beaufort region by presenting a new set of RSL curves derived from a modern gravitationally self-consistent sea level model computing the effects of glacio-hydro isostasy, geoid changes, and true polar wander. The results of the RSL model present cross-shelf variations in the order of 100 m and along-shelf of 30 m during the LGM. The model also suggests a different timing and range to the single RSL curve presently used for this region. Depending on the location, the lowstand is modeled between 14 and 12 ka BP and reached between 85 and 140 m below present sea-level. These new findings are used in the second part of the study to evaluate the impacts of GIA along with other factors on the Late Quaternary evolution of the Canadian Beaufort Shelf. SedFlux, a process-based stratigraphic simulation model is used. Uncertainties associated with post-LGM conditions create difficulties in establishing good model parameterization. Thus, simulations are first performed on the Mackenzie Trough area, where data availability permits better evaluation and constraint of parameters that are then applied to the more data poor Eastern Beaufort Shelf environment. The results of the stratigraphic simulations suggest that the ice sheet margin in the Mackenzie-Beaufort region was more extensive than previously assumed. The impact of GIA on the stratigraphy of the Mackenzie Trough is to develop more progradational than retrogradational stratigraphic features. Simulations of the Eastern Beaufort Shelf suggest that a previously dated sample from the Uviluk borehole is not a RSL indicator as previously thought and by taking this into consideration, the borehole stratigraphy can be modeled. Modeling of multiple cycles of glacial/interglacial RSL with glacial outwash deposition supports the interpretation of the Late Quaternary geology suggested by Murton (2009). Finally, glacial outburst floods funnelling through the area would have mostly bypassed the shelf and contributed to its progradation. If flood water were directed to the Mackenzie Trough, the deposits are likely found within the lower wedge. / Graduate

Thesis (MA (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: This sociolinguistic study examines selected aspects of the linguistic behavior of a rural language community in South Africa. The general aims are to establish first, whether this "coloured" community in the historically Afrikaans town of Beaufort West is still predominantly Afrikaans, second, whether there is evidence of language shift in the community, specifically following more use of English in other formerly Afrikaans communities after the change of government in 1994, and third, what the nature of such language shift may be. An overview of pertinent aspects of the social and political history of South Africa generally and of Beaufort West specifically, is presented in order to contextualise the language dispensation – past and present – addressed in this study. History reveals that the town in question was first named Hooyvlakte and only later acquired the name of Beaufort West. Hooyvlakte is currently the name of one of the suburbs in which a section of Beaufort West's "coloured" community resides. For the purpose of this study the larger Beaufort West community which is in focus here, is also referred to as the Hooyvlakte community The study is mainly of a qualitative nature. The respondents were 184 members of the Hooyvlakte community, they included individuals of both genders and were aged between 16 and 87 years. The only requirement for participation in this study was that the respondent should have been a Beaufort West resident for at least 15 years. Each respondent completed a questionnaire from which his/her language proficiency, language use and language preference could be assessed. The questionnaire also allowed respondents an opportunity to express their opinion on the value and practice of multilingualism in their community. The results of this study indicate that the Hooyvlakte community remains predominantly Afrikaans. There is, however, an increase in the knowledge and use of English, and despite possible limits in actual English proficiency, the residents in the Hooyvlakte mostly view themselves as balanced Afrikaans-English bilinguals. This view is related to the gradual change in linguistic identity, from an almost exclusively (often stigmatized) Afrikaans identity to a (mostly proud) Afrikaans-English bilingual one. The stigmatized "coloured" and Afrikaans identities appear to be products of South Africa's sociopolitical history of ethnic and cultural categorisation and segregation. Stigma, on the one hand, and exclusion, on the other, have led to a desire in the Hooyvlakte community to associate with a language other than Afrikaans as well. This shift to an Afrikaans-English bilingual identity contrasts with the shift from predominantly Afrikaans monolingualism to virtual monolingualism in English found in other Coloured communities studied in the Western Cape's and Eastern Cape's metropoles (see Anthonissen and George 2003; Farmer 2009; Fortuin 2009). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie sosiolinguistiese studie ondersoek geselekteerde aspekte van die talige gedrag van 'n landelike taalgemeenskap in Suid Afrika. Die algemene doelstellings van die studie is eerstens, om vas te stel of die "bruin" gemeenskap in die histories Afrikaanse dorp Beaufort- Wes steeds hoofsaaklik Afrikaans is, tweedens, of daar aanduidings is van taalverskuiwing, spesifiek een wat neig na 'n toenemende gebruik van Engels, soos gevind is in ander histories Afrikaanse gemeenskappe na die regeringsverandering in1994, en derdens, wat die aard van so 'n taalverskuiwing sou wees. 'n Oorsig word gegee oor beduidende aspekte van die sosiale en politieke geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika in die algemeen, en meer spesifiek van Beaufort-Wes, om die huidige en voormalige taalsituasie soos dit in hierdie studie aan die orde kom, te kontekstualiseer. Geskiedkundige verslae wys daarop dat die dorp eers die naam Hooyvlakte gehad het voor dit verander is na Beaufort-Wes. Hooyvlakte is tans die naam van een van die dorp se woonbuurte waar 'n gedeelte van Beaufort-Wes se "bruin" gemeenskap woonagtig is. In hierdie studie benoem "Hooyvlakte" die "bruin" gemeenskap van die hele dorp. Dit is in húlle wat hierdie tesis geïnteresseerd is. Die studie is hoofsaaklik kwalitatief van aard. Die respondente was 184 lede van die Hooyvlakte gemeenskap, en deelnemers het individue van beide geslagte tussen die ouderdomme van 16 en 87 jaar ingesluit. Die enigste vereiste vir deelname aan die studie was dat informante reeds 15 jaar in Beaufort-Wes woonagtig moes wees. Elke informant het 'n vraelys voltooi op grond waarvan sy/haar taalvaardigheid, taalgebruik en taalvoorkeur vasgestel kon word. Die vraelys het ook die informante geleentheid gegee om hul mening te lug oor die waarde en gebruik van veeltaligheid in hul gemeenskap. Die bevindinge van die studie toon aan dat die Hooyvlakte gemeenskap steeds hoofsaaklik Afrikaans is. Daar is egter 'n toename in hul kennis en gebruik van Engels, en ten spyte van moontlike beperkinge in hul Engelse taalvaardigheid wat formele toetse sou kon uitwys, beskou deelnemers hulself steeds as gebalanseerde tweetalige sprekers van Afrikaans en Engels. Hierdie siening hou verband met 'n verskuiwing in talige identiteit, van 'n oorwegend eksklusiewe (meestal gestigmatiseerde) Afrikaanse identiteit na 'n (grootliks trotse) Afrikaans en Engels tweetalige identiteit. Die gestigmatiseerde Bruin en Afrikaanse identiteite blyk neweprodukte te wees van die (etniese en kulturele) klassifiseringsgebruike uit die vorige Suid-Afrikaanse sosio-politiese bestel. Stigma, enersyds, en uitsluiting, andersyds, het 'n begeerte in die Hooyvlakte gemeenskap laat ontstaan, om te assosieer met 'n ander taal benewens Afrikaans. Hierdie verskuiwing na 'n tweetalige Afrikaans-Engelse identiteit kontrasteer met die verskuiwing van hoofsaaklik Afrikaanse taalidentiteit na feitlik uitsluitlik eentalig Engelse identiteit, wat onlangs in "bruin" gemeenskappe elders waargeneem en opgeteken is (vgl. Anthonissen en George 2003; Farmer 2009; Fortuin 2009).

This thesis will build upon my undergraduate dissertation. It is enriched by the new information about the original historic Beaufort rock garden. It explores the Beaufort rock garden and includes points of view of the experts on its condition today. The following part of the thesis comprises of a proposal for a renewal of the current Bečov botanical garden framework and of a more detailed focus on few selected rocks and their initial planting. The main contribution of this work is an expansion of the total number of the initially grown plants (from 654 to 1228) thanks to the newly found resources and to the writing down all the newly discovered information from the archival research of the original historical documents dated from 1908 to 1937. All the documents were catalogued by the author of the original concept alpina, the head gardener Johann Koditek. What we do know from the original documentation is how the area expanded between the years 1922 - 1927 with the purchase of the surrounding land. It is clear that the expenses for the land were about 18 098,31crowns and for various works, building construction, plants, materials and wages the total sum was 468 336.07 crowns. The exact mounting plans for landscape park were rediscovered (10 plans and inventories in total) and 16 plans and inventories in total of 47 for the rock garden. The chart with the total number of the originally cultivated taxa also consists of the surviving taxa in the area (22 specific herb species + 43 specific tree species and 12 tree genera). The synonymy of the original plants was created for three selected rocks and surveyed their purchase options today. Most of the taxa will return back to the garden, only rock no. 8 will have to be planted differently due to the lack of light on the original plants. Keywords: origin

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Environ & Water Science) / Groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas like the Karoo region of South Africa is an important source of domestic, agricultural and industrial source of fresh water. As a scarce resource, it requires extensive quality control and protection through innovative methods and efficient strategies. The town of Beaufort West and its vicinity use groundwater as a major source of municipal and private water supply. Forty nine groundwater samples were collected from spatially referenced boreholes located in and around the town of Beaufort West and were analyzed for EC, pH, TDS,TH, SAR, TA, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, NO3- and SO42- according to SANS 241 standards and tested for ionic balance. The groundwater of the study area was characterized using WHO and South African drinking water quality standards as well as TDS and Salinity hazard classifications. These comparisons and classifications characterized the groundwater of the study area as hard to very hard, with low to medium salinity hazard. These results are in accordance with the dominance of the ions Ca2+, Na+, HCO3 - and Cl- in the groundwater samples. Linear relationships between the hydrochemical variables were analysed through correlation and multiple regression analysis to relate the groundwater quality to the underlying hydrogeochemical processes. These linear relationships explained the contribution of the measured variables towards the salinity, hardness and anthropogenic contamination of the groundwater. The groundwater of the study area was also assessed using conventional trilinear diagrams and scatter plots to interpret the water quality and determine the major ion chemistry. The conventional methods highlighted the sources of the hydrochemical variables through analysis and interpretation of rock-water interaction and evaporations processes. To supplement these conventional methods and reveal hidden hydrogeochemical phenomenon, multivariate statistical analyses were employed. Factor analysis reduced the hydrochemical variables into three factors (Hardness, Alkalinity and Landuse) that characterize the groundwater quality in relation to the source of its hydrochemistry. Furthermore, combination of Cluster (CA) and Discriminant analyses (DA) were used to classify the groundwater in to different hydrochemical facies and determine the dominant hydrochemical variables that characterize these facies. The classification results were also compared with the trilinear diagrammatic interpretations to highlight the advantages of these multivariate statistical methods. The CA and DA classifications resulted in to six different hydrochemical facies that are characterized by NO3 -, Na+ and pH. These three hydrochemical variables explain 93.9% of the differences between the water types and highlight the influence of natural hydrogeochemical and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality. All the univariate, bivariate, multivariate statistical and conventional hydrogeochemical analyses results were analyzed spatially using ArcGIS 10.0. The spatial analysis employed the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method to predict spatial distribution of unmeasured areas and reclassification of the interpolation results for classification purposes. The results of the different analyses methods employed in the thesis illustrate that the groundwater in the study area is generally hard but permissible in the absence of better alternative water source and useful for irrigation.