Analysis of complex regional databases and their support in the identification of background/baseline compositional facies in groundwater investigation: developments and application examples

摘要: Abstract The management of groundwater resources has become a matter public interest during recent years. It is difficult and sensitive topic for all involved subjects, scientists, state agencies, private water supply companies citizens. Therefore, tools collection, storage, evaluation visualization groundwater-relevant information have to be constructed implemented. development network-based technologies, the support Geographical Information Systems, would help dissemination knowledge about chemistry, as well integration geochemical data with other type (geological, hydrogeological, soil use, etc.). However, dedicated repositories often contain fragmented numerical categorical from different sources obtained dissimilar aims divergent interests, thus compromising holistic resource. Given complicated nature related behavior, statistical methods describing evaluating patterns in complex regional databases developed way. An application example presented Geobasi–Tuscany (central Italy) project, repository where geochemistry natural media, including groundwater, collected territory stored. Robust methods, not sensible anomalous cases, been associated compositional approach, leading identification baseline facies, frequent spatially diffused phenomena. facies discriminated ones, specific environmental conditions, affecting limited portions territory. methodology can easily integrated those based on classical ternary or square diagrams hydrochemical facies. proposed robust and, therefore, multivariate, appears an efficient way understand how processes are working scale.