Using Partial Triadic Analysis (PTA) to Assess Spatiotemporal Variation in Water Quality

In this research, multivariate data analysis method called partial triadic analysis (PTA) were derived to unravel spatiotemporal variations in water quality and to identify potential sources of water pollution in the Northern Tunisia. The sampling was conducted in ten sites located in the north-eastern Tunisia part at the Cap Bon-Meliane watershed. We collected 16 environmental parameters of which were find significant spatial variations, suggesting the issue of anthropogenic activities by multiple stressors such as organic pollution and nutrients (agricultural activities); oxygen-consuming organic pollution (industry wastewater), salinization (agricultural activities, organic decomposition and geologic deposits). Therefore, the identification of the main potential environmental hazards in north-eastern of Tunisia by this study is a useful way of reporting the water quality status and developing better water resources protection.