Assessment of Water Quality in the Panama Canal Watershed Using Multivariate Analysis of Physicochemical and Biological Parameters

In the hydrometeorological context of watersheds, water quality is strongly related to its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. In this regard, the joint analysis of these parameters at the watershed level is highly important. The objective of this study was to analyze a total of twenty-three (23) physicochemical and biological water parameters in the Panama Canal watershed with the aim of determining the interrelationships among them, explaining their clustering and simultaneously identifying homogeneous hydrological stations. Multivariate statistical techniques were used for data analysis. The principal component analysis revealed that physicochemical and biological water parameters can be grouped into two dimensions, suggesting potential temporal or spatial patterns in water quality. Furthermore, these parameters were not homogeneous across the various stations of the reservoir. The cluster analysis grouped the fourteen (14) sampling stations with similar characteristics into three groups or clusters. In the context of future research, this study established a precedent for the interpretation of the complex patterns of water quality in river basins. Finally, this research is of great significance for those responsible for environmental management, as its results have a direct impact on the management of watershed areas.