Risk Evaluation of Chemical Clogging of Irrigation Emitters via Geostatistics and Multivariate Analysis in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

In this study, we analyzed the hydrogeochemistry of 350 underground wells in northern region state Minas Gerais, Brazil, for water-chemical parameters that may contribute to chemical clogging emitters drip irrigation systems. Risk class maps were generated each parameter, and area was classified based on water characteristics, considering degree water-use restriction micro-irrigation (i.e., no, moderate, severe restriction). Inverse distance-weighted, random forest, ordinary kriging methods used as interpolation methods. Moreover, a multivariate analysis conducted analyze results. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed strong significant between pH carbonates, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) TDS EC. Principal component revealed most variations quality could be explained by water–rock interactions with consequent dissolution minerals. The principal components natural sources ionic salt groups, minerals rich alkaline cations, weathering iron–magnesium minerals, increased conversion bicarbonates into carbonates. parameter cluster analysis, three possible mechanisms emitter study identified: precipitation calcium magnesium salts; oxidation iron manganese ions forming oxides insoluble hydroxides; an increase pH, which converts Clustering are susceptible exact cause.