@article {11927,
	title = {Assessment of groundwater quality contamination by nitrate leaching using multivariate statistics and Geographic Information Systems.},
	journal = {IAHS-AISH Proceedings and Reports},
	volume = {361},
	year = {2013},
	pages = {183-190},
	abstract = {<div>The present study examines nitrate contamination and groundwater quality in the Megara basin of\&nbsp;Attica Prefecture (Greece). Hydrochemical data were assessed using descriptive and multivariate statistical\&nbsp;analysis to (1) classify the data into hydrochemically similar groups, and (2) to investigate geochemical and\&nbsp;human-related factors responsible for the observed groundwater quality. Geographic Information Systems\&nbsp;(GIS) were used to incorporate both thematic (landuse) data and groundwater chemistry to study the extent\&nbsp;and variation of nitrate contamination and to establish spatial relationships with specific landuse types. The\&nbsp;results indicate that more than 70\% of the groundwater samples located around the national highway had</div>
<div>nitrate concentrations that exceeded acceptable levels according to international legislation and guidelines\&nbsp;(Directive 98/83/EC, EPA, WHO). The combined spatial analysis and statistical hydrochemical evaluation\&nbsp;show that nitrate contamination in groundwater is closely associated with specific landuse classes and\&nbsp;activities (e.g. agriculture, pasture, industries, urban effluents).</div>},
	author = {Matiatos, I. and Evelpidou, N.}
}
