Multivariate Statistical Approach for Assessment of Surface Water Quality in the Intensive Inland Aquaculture Region in India

Andhra Pradesh's western Godavari Delta region is India's primary inland aquaculture zone, with a well-developed canal network. The Venkaya-Vayyeru canal is the most important canal stream depending on aquaculture catchment. It also serves as a drinking water supply for villages, aquaculture, and irrigation. As a result, the quality of the canal's water is essential. To determine the probable location as a pollution source, this study considered eight physicochemical water quality characteristics at three distinctive places along the canal for principal component analysis (PCA). Most parameters show significant geographical variation, indicating anthropogenic influence. According to PCA findings, the principal pollution sources are aquaculture ponds, processing businesses, and urban activities. Aquaculture intensively may contaminate canal water with salinity, ammonia, and Ca²⁺. Aquaculture effluents, soluble salts, nutrients, and organic matter were found to be the essential parameters responsible for changes in water quality using PCA and factor analysis. The study demonstrates the usefulness of multivariate statistical methods in understanding a pattern of feature variability and devising management techniques to enhance canal water quality by identifying prevailing characteristics that cause the most degradation in the water quality.