<p>The complex nature and composition of regolith cover in Southern Africa is a major challenge to geochemical mapping for concealed mineralization. Some of the setbacks to successful geochemical exploration may be ascribed to the use of various partial extraction techniques,without a profound understanding of the regolith components and their composition. This investigation therefore focuses on the use of hydroxylamine partial extraction geochemistry for geochemical mapping in regolith over two contrasting environments viz / aeolian sand-calcrete regolith over Au mineralization at Amalia Blue Dot Mine in South Africa and lateritic regolith covering the Ni-Cu deposit at Kabanga Main and Luhuma in Tanzania. Regolith samples from the above areas were sieved and extracted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution and analyzed for multi-element by AAS and ICP-MS techniques. A stepwise optimization of the hydroxylamine extraction technique of samples from both areas was carried out and incorporated into the analytical programme (in a pilot study). Results of hydroxylamine partial extraction generally gave better anomaly contrast and reflection of bedrock mineralization than the conventional aqua regia techniques that were previously used in the region. The results however show that lateritic regolith may be best extracted using 0.25M hydroxylamine while 0.1M concentration appears most suitable for extraction of aeolian-calcrete regolith. The above results are corroborated by principal component analysis of the analytical data that show various element associations, e.g. with Fe-Mn oxides while others possibly belong to the loosely adsorbed or exchangeable group. The&nbsp / gochemical maps in the pilot study areas at Amalia, Kabanga and Luhuma show elevated element contents or clusters of anomalies of diverse elements associated with Fe-Mn oxides. Geochemical mapping at Kabanga with deeply concealed mineralization however shows variability of subdued element patterns over mineralized areas. Geochemical signatures associated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride partial leach are therefore characterized by a lower geochemical background than that using conventional aqua regia leach. This study leads recommending for further investigations into partial extraction of the exchangeable group of elements, possibly using ammonium acetate.</p>

The major goal of this study is to define the paleoclimatic conditions in Ankara region during Plio-Pleistocene period by evaluating the mineralogical and geochemical proxies carried from the paleosols and their calcretes. The field observations, mineralogical, micromorphological, geochemical and stable isotope investigations were all conducted to achieve a paleoclimatic approach. As pedogenic minerals in calcretes, presence of dolomite with palygorskite in the Karahamzali section and calcite with palygorskite in the Bala section together with high salinity and calcification values reveal the semi-arid and dry climatic conditions. The geochemical signatures of the paleosols are consistent with each other indicating low clastic input during the dry seasons favouring the formation of calcretes. The &delta / 13C and &delta / 18O values indicate the formation of calcretes from percolating soil-water under predominantly C4 to C3:C4 association type vegetation. Temperature calculations show that paleoclimatic conditions favouring the formation of calcretes in the region are semi-arid and seasonally dry with approximately 25&deg / C soil depositional temperature. This study is the first to give both a radiometric age data to the calcretes of Central Anatolia, Ankara and document their stable isotope compositions. Dated calcretes having ESR ages of 419&plusmn / 69ka and 761 &plusmn / 120ka point the formation during Middle Pleistocene when Mid-Brunches Event (MBE) was happened and the periodicity changed affecting the climatic control over the European continent. Like the Mediterranean calcretes, this study suggests that calcretes in the study area started to develop with MBE warmth between Marine Isotope Stages of 13- 11 and 19-17.

<p>The complex nature and composition of regolith cover in Southern Africa is a major challenge to geochemical mapping for concealed mineralization. Some of the setbacks to successful geochemical exploration may be ascribed to the use of various partial extraction techniques,without a profound understanding of the regolith components and their composition. This investigation therefore focuses on the use of hydroxylamine partial extraction geochemistry for geochemical mapping in regolith over two contrasting environments viz / aeolian sand-calcrete regolith over Au mineralization at Amalia Blue Dot Mine in South Africa and lateritic regolith covering the Ni-Cu deposit at Kabanga Main and Luhuma in Tanzania. Regolith samples from the above areas were sieved and extracted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution and analyzed for multi-element by AAS and ICP-MS techniques. A stepwise optimization of the hydroxylamine extraction technique of samples from both areas was carried out and incorporated into the analytical programme (in a pilot study). Results of hydroxylamine partial extraction generally gave better anomaly contrast and reflection of bedrock mineralization than the conventional aqua regia techniques that were previously used in the region. The results however show that lateritic regolith may be best extracted using 0.25M hydroxylamine while 0.1M concentration appears most suitable for extraction of aeolian-calcrete regolith. The above results are corroborated by principal component analysis of the analytical data that show various element associations, e.g. with Fe-Mn oxides while others possibly belong to the loosely adsorbed or exchangeable group. The&nbsp / gochemical maps in the pilot study areas at Amalia, Kabanga and Luhuma show elevated element contents or clusters of anomalies of diverse elements associated with Fe-Mn oxides. Geochemical mapping at Kabanga with deeply concealed mineralization however shows variability of subdued element patterns over mineralized areas. Geochemical signatures associated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride partial leach are therefore characterized by a lower geochemical background than that using conventional aqua regia leach. This study leads recommending for further investigations into partial extraction of the exchangeable group of elements, possibly using ammonium acetate.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The complex nature and composition of regolith cover in Southern Africa is a major challenge to geochemical mapping for concealed mineralization. Some of the setbacks to successful geochemical exploration may be ascribed to the use of various partial extraction techniques,without a profound understanding of the regolith components and their composition. This investigation therefore focuses on the use of hydroxylamine partial extraction geochemistry for geochemical mapping in regolith over two contrasting environments viz; aeolian sand-calcrete regolith over Au mineralization at Amalia Blue Dot Mine in South Africa and lateritic regolith covering the Ni-Cu deposit at Kabanga Main and Luhuma in Tanzania. Regolith samples from the above areas were sieved and extracted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution and analyzed for multi-element by AAS and ICP-MS techniques. A stepwise optimization of the hydroxylamine extraction technique of samples from both areas was carried out and incorporated into the analytical programme (in a pilot study). Results of hydroxylamine partial extraction generally gave better anomaly contrast and reflection of bedrock mineralization than the conventional aqua regia techniques that were previously used in the region. The results however show that lateritic regolith may be best extracted using 0.25M hydroxylamine while 0.1M concentration appears most suitable for extraction of aeolian-calcrete regolith. The above results are corroborated by principal component analysis of the analytical data that show various element associations, e.g. with Fe-Mn oxides while others possibly belong to the loosely adsorbed or exchangeable group. The gochemical maps in the pilot study areas at Amalia, Kabanga and Luhuma show elevated element contents or clusters of anomalies of diverse elements associated with Fe-Mn oxides. Geochemical mapping at Kabanga with deeply concealed mineralization however shows variability of subdued element patterns over mineralized areas. Geochemical signatures associated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride partial leach are therefore characterized by a lower geochemical background than that using conventional aqua regia leach. This study leads recommending for further investigations into partial extraction of the exchangeable group of elements, possibly using ammonium acetate. / South Africa

No description available.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / The mineralogical composition of the Beige Bahia (BB) limestone was characterized by petrographic analysis, XRD, total-rock (TR) chemical analysis, and SEM on figurative elements of lytic texture. The results demonstrated that this type of calcrete is dolomitic (dolomite > 10% in TR), reaching over 50% in its lumpy features. The matrix is primarily calcite, whereas quartz (< 5% TR) and palygorskite are the most common accessory minerals. The changing mechanisms of the BB, as a building covering, were investigated from the loss of brightness, using in natura polished boards in bench, for comparison with observations carried out in situ in a metropolitan coastal area (Recife-PE), under humid tropical climate. Tests of accelerated changeability involving atmospheres with saline saturation (NaCl) and in SO2, attacks by acid solutions (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), rain water and sea water, were conducted according to the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards/ABNT or experimentally, involving in natura polished test specimen. By considering as critical a brightness intensity &#8804; 40, whether for test specimen or for applications carried out in situ, a reliable prediction is possible based on bench data. In most cases, this critical level is reached around the third testing cycle, corresponding to ten years in in situ changing conditions. The most active mechanisms were the gas chamber with SO2 saturation, and the sea water; and the critical brightness was reached between 2 and 2.5 cycles in bench. The set of results did not confirm if the ferric staining and black crusts are of lithogenic origin, whereas âwhite crustsâ are made of gypsum (CaSO4.H2O), by the reaction of H2SO4 with the calcite surface of the BB. Therefore, the inadequacy of the application of this product on external coverings is confirmed, particularly in the presence of sea spray or in metropolitan situations, where the atmosphere is mpregnated with SO2. / A composiÃÃo mineralÃgica do calcÃrio Bege Bahia (BB) foi caracterizada por anÃlise petrogrÃfica, DRX, anÃlises quÃmicas sobre rocha-total (RT), e MEV sobre elementos figurados da textura lÃtica. Os resultados demonstraram que este tipo de calcrete à dolomÃtico (dolomita > 10% em RT), atingindo mais de 50% em suas feiÃÃes grumosas. A matriz à essencialmente calcÃtica, enquanto quartzo (< 5% RT) e palygorskita sÃo os minerais acessÃrios mais frequentes. Os mecanismos de alteraÃÃo do BB, como revestimento de edificaÃÃes, foram investigados a partir da perda de brilho, utilizando-se placas lustradas in natura em bancada, para comparaÃÃo com observaÃÃes in situ em Ãrea litorÃnea metropolitana (Recife-PE), sob clima tropical Ãmido. Ensaios de alterabilidade acelerada envolvendo atmosferas com saturaÃÃo salina (NaCl) e em SO2, ataques por soluÃÃes Ãcidas (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), Ãgua de chuva e Ãgua do mar, foram conduzidos segundo normas ABNT ou experimentalmente, envolvendo corpos de prova lustrados in natura. Considerando-se crÃtica uma intensidade de brilho &#8804; 40, seja para os corpos de prova quanto em aplicaÃÃes in situ, torna-se possÃvel uma confiÃvel prediÃÃo a partir dos dados de bancada. Na maior parte dos casos, este nÃvel crÃtico à atingido em torno do terceiro ciclo dos ensaios, correspondendo a 10 anos em condiÃÃes de alteraÃÃo in situ. Os mecanismos mais atuantes foram a cÃmara de gÃs com saturaÃÃo em SO2 e a Ãgua do mar, sendo o brilho crÃtico atingido entre 2 a 2,5 ciclos em bancada. O conjunto dos resultados nÃo confirmou se manchamentos fÃrricos e crostas negras sÃo de origem litogÃnica, enquanto que âcrostas brancasâ sÃo constituÃdas de gipsita (CaSO4.H2O), por reaÃÃo de H2SO4 com a superfÃcie calcÃtica do BB. Assim, confirma-se a inadequaÃÃo de aplicaÃÃo deste produto em revestimentos externos, particularmente em presenÃa de spray marinho ou situaÃÃes metropolitanas, onde a atmosfera apresenta-se impregnada com SO2.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-10-14T13:19:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO ANDRÉIA MACEDO.pdf: 14642972 bytes, checksum: 83c5e27682e0c794cdc2fdfbc0065ad7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-14T13:19:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO ANDRÉIA MACEDO.pdf: 14642972 bytes, checksum: 83c5e27682e0c794cdc2fdfbc0065ad7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-04 / CAPES / A presente pesquisa constitui uma investigação geoarqueológica sobre a Lagoa Uri de Cima, localizada no município de Salgueiro-PE, abordando três escalas de análise: a escala macro, representada pelo ambiente da Lagoa, a escala meso, pela sequência estratigrafia dos sedimentos que preencheram a Lagoa, com cronologias LOE de 34.600±690 anos AP até 3.500±360 anos AP e a escala micro formada especificamente pelos dois níveis mais profundos da Lagoa, o de cascalheira cimentada por concreção carbonática, que constitui um calcrete e, pelo nível arenoso sobreposto a cascalheira. O nível de cascalheira foi estudado de forma amostral, através de microescavações de detalhe associadas às análises tafonômicas, granulométricas, de difratometria e fluorescência de raios X, datação por C-14 e isótopos do carbono da matéria orgânica do solo, enquanto para o nível arenoso foram realizadas análises granulométricas e a difratometria de raios X. Os resultados das análises do presente estudo, integrados aos dados de pesquisas anteriores, permitiram contextualizar os vestígios arqueológicos e paleontológicos encontrados nos níveis mais antigos da Lagoa, verificar os tipos de fossilização, demonstrar a coexistência dos grupos humanos com a paleofauna, há pelos menos 18 mil anos AP no Nordeste do Brasil e obter dados sobre o processo de instalação de um clima semiárido na região. / This research is a geoarchaeologycal study about Lagoa Uri de Cima, situated in Salgueiro county, state of Pernambuco. The methodological approach was built through three scales of analysis: the macro scale, represented by the lagoon environment, the meso scale composed by the stratigraphy sequence of the sediments that filled the pond, with ages since 34,600 ± 690 years BP until 3500 ± 360 years BP and, the micro scale formed specifically by the two deepest layers of the lagoon, the gravel layer cemented by carbonate concretion, which formed a calcrete and the sandy layer deposited above the gravel. The gravel layer was studied through the microdetailed excavation in laboratory of the concretion samples associated with taphonomical analysis, granolometric analysis of the sediments, diffraction and fluorescence of X- rays, C-14 dating and carbon isotopes of the soil organic material analysis, while for the sandy layer were conducted granolometric analysis of the sediments and the diffraction and fluorescence of X- rays. The results of this studies were integrated with previous survey data, that allowed contextualize the archaeological and paleontological remains that were found in the earliest sediments layers of the pond and also know the fossilization process, demonstrate coexistence between the human groups with paleofauna, at least 18,000 years BP and obtain data about the process of semi-arid climate installation in the region northeastern of Brazil.

SILVA, Suely Andrade da. Alteração acelerada do calcário bege Bahia: um ensaio de predição de perda de sua intensidade de brilho em fachadas sob condições tropicais metropolitanas, em orlas litorâneas. 2015. 150 f. Tese (Doutorado em geologia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2015. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-10-11T18:47:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_sasilva.pdf: 5201692 bytes, checksum: 1f86f9b8f74228acdda8000b08836ad5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-10-11T23:38:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_sasilva.pdf: 5201692 bytes, checksum: 1f86f9b8f74228acdda8000b08836ad5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jairo Viana (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-10-11T23:44:52Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_sasilva.pdf: 5201692 bytes, checksum: 1f86f9b8f74228acdda8000b08836ad5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-11T23:44:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_sasilva.pdf: 5201692 bytes, checksum: 1f86f9b8f74228acdda8000b08836ad5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / The mineralogical composition of the Beige Bahia (BB) limestone was characterized by petrographic analysis, XRD, total-rock (TR) chemical analysis, and SEM on figurative elements of lytic texture. The results demonstrated that this type of calcrete is dolomitic (dolomite > 10% in TR), reaching over 50% in its lumpy features. The matrix is primarily calcite, whereas quartz (< 5% TR) and palygorskite are the most common accessory minerals. The changing mechanisms of the BB, as a building covering, were investigated from the loss of brightness, using in natura polished boards in bench, for comparison with observations carried out in situ in a metropolitan coastal area (Recife-PE), under humid tropical climate. Tests of accelerated changeability involving atmospheres with saline saturation (NaCl) and in SO2, attacks by acid solutions (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), rain water and sea water, were conducted according to the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards/ABNT or experimentally, involving in natura polished test specimen. By considering as critical a brightness intensity ≤ 40, whether for test specimen or for applications carried out in situ, a reliable prediction is possible based on bench data. In most cases, this critical level is reached around the third testing cycle, corresponding to ten years in in situ changing conditions. The most active mechanisms were the gas chamber with SO2 saturation, and the sea water; and the critical brightness was reached between 2 and 2.5 cycles in bench. The set of results did not confirm if the ferric staining and black crusts are of lithogenic origin, whereas “white crusts” are made of gypsum (CaSO4.H2O), by the reaction of H2SO4 with the calcite surface of the BB. Therefore, the inadequacy of the application of this product on external coverings is confirmed, particularly in the presence of sea spray or in metropolitan situations, where the atmosphere is mpregnated with SO2. / A composição mineralógica do calcário Bege Bahia (BB) foi caracterizada por análise petrográfica, DRX, análises químicas sobre rocha-total (RT), e MEV sobre elementos figurados da textura lítica. Os resultados demonstraram que este tipo de calcrete é dolomítico (dolomita > 10% em RT), atingindo mais de 50% em suas feições grumosas. A matriz é essencialmente calcítica, enquanto quartzo (< 5% RT) e palygorskita são os minerais acessórios mais frequentes. Os mecanismos de alteração do BB, como revestimento de edificações, foram investigados a partir da perda de brilho, utilizando-se placas lustradas in natura em bancada, para comparação com observações in situ em área litorânea metropolitana (Recife-PE), sob clima tropical úmido. Ensaios de alterabilidade acelerada envolvendo atmosferas com saturação salina (NaCl) e em SO2, ataques por soluções ácidas (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4), água de chuva e água do mar, foram conduzidos segundo normas ABNT ou experimentalmente, envolvendo corpos de prova lustrados in natura. Considerando-se crítica uma intensidade de brilho ≤ 40, seja para os corpos de prova quanto em aplicações in situ, torna-se possível uma confiável predição a partir dos dados de bancada. Na maior parte dos casos, este nível crítico é atingido em torno do terceiro ciclo dos ensaios, correspondendo a 10 anos em condições de alteração in situ. Os mecanismos mais atuantes foram a câmara de gás com saturação em SO2 e a água do mar, sendo o brilho crítico atingido entre 2 a 2,5 ciclos em bancada. O conjunto dos resultados não confirmou se manchamentos férricos e crostas negras são de origem litogênica, enquanto que “crostas brancas” são constituídas de gipsita (CaSO4.H2O), por reação de H2SO4 com a superfície calcítica do BB. Assim, confirma-se a inadequação de aplicação deste produto em revestimentos externos, particularmente em presença de spray marinho ou situações metropolitanas, onde a atmosfera apresenta-se impregnada com SO2.

The seed bank dynamics of five habitats as well as a grazing gradient in the southwestern Kalahari, South Africa were studied. Soil samples were collected in the following habitats: dune crests, dune slopes, dune streets, a calcrete outcrop and a riverbed on the farm Alpha. Soil samples were also collected along a grazing gradient from a watering point. Three methods of soil seed bank analysis were used to analyse the soil samples and to gain insight into soil seed bank response to habitat type and to grazing pressure, over four seasons in the year 2004. Results from the three methods of analysis were also compared to each other. They included the direct seedling germination method, the seedling germination re-examination and the seed extraction method. These analyses were used to (a) estimate seed bank size and composition in response to habitat type and grazing pressure; (b) the differences between the standing vegetation- and the seed bank-flora in different habitats and along a grazing gradient and (c) the type of seed banks that tend to form in certain habitats and in response to grazing pressure. Analyses of soil seed bank size along a grazing gradient showed that the seedling emergence re-examinations estimated a larger size for the seed bank than the direct seedling emergence method. The seed extraction method estimated a significantly larger seed bank size than the other two methods. Heavy grazing pressure favoured annual/opportunistic species such as Schmidtia kalahariensis, which formed very large seed banks in heavily trampled areas. When Schmidtia kalahariensis data was removed from the seed bank analyses, it was found that, in contrast to previous results, the direct germination method mostly estimated a larger seed bank size than the re-examination. Also, the estimation of seed bank size by the flotation method, in this case, was much smaller. The flotation method produced data mostly for hard-seeded species, while the seedling emergence method produced data for species with small seeds and which were readily germinable. In all seasons, the dune crest habitat always had the smallest seed bank and the riverbed habitat always had the largest seed bank. All the dune habitats were characterised by perennial grasses. Perennial grasses formed transient seed banks which were relatively small. The riverbed habitat’s vegetation was mostly composed of annuals. Annual plants formed persistent seed banks which were relatively large. Species richness of the readily germinable seed bank in all habitats, fluctuated between the four seasons and was usually largest in summer. The difference in species richness between the above- and belowground floras fluctuated over four seasons. The dune habitats showed a large difference between the species richness of the above- and the below-ground flora, while the riverbed habitat showed a much smaller difference. The dune habitats had many species with transient seed banks while the riverbed was characterised by many species with short-term persistent and ‘permanent’ seed banks. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Plant Science / unrestricted

<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>