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<br />~. <br />plotted on ion-concentration diagrams including bar charts, pie charts, radiating vectors and Stiff <br />polygon diagrams. In addition, a Durov Trilineaz diagram was also plotted which combines the <br />results of all measured anions and cations in relation to each other. These various graphical tools <br />help detect and identify mixing of waters of different composition. They also help visualize <br />linkages of source water to release water (Hem, J.D., 1985). Most aze designed to represent the <br />total solute concentration and the proportions assigned to each ionic species for one analysis or a <br />group of analyses. <br />The Durov trilineaz diagram relies on data adjusted to `percentages' millequivalents/leter. The <br />coordinates at each point sum to 100 percent. The diagrams aze divided into equal areas and <br />compaze various combinations of cation, anion values (Durov,S.A., 1948). Typically, since the <br />data aze converted to less-sensitive units, slight trends are lost in the graphical display. <br />An `ion balance diagram' and `pie charts' were developed for each location. These diagrams <br />show the balance between major anions (Cl, SOa and HCO3) and cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K). The <br />hazdness in milligrams per liter as CaCO3 is equivalent to the height of the calcium plus the <br />magnesium segments within the ion balance diagram, in milliequivalents per liter, multiplied by <br />50. These diagrams do not take into account, any minor anion or cation that maybe present. <br />The `radial plots' represent a data analysis method using radiating vectors (Maucha, R., 1949). <br />The distance of plotted data represents the concentration of one or more ions in milliequivalents <br />per liter. This method is also used in the development of the `Stiff Diagrams' which use four <br />pazallel horizontal axes extending on each side of a vertical zero axis (Stiff, H.A., 1951). <br />Concentrations of four cations aze plotted, one on each axis (exception of sodium and potassium <br />which aze combined). The Schoeller Diagram uses the same approach in a simplistic cumulative <br />plot diagram. The radial plots, Stiff and Schoeller diagrams aze methods by which water <br />composition or similarities can be observed. The width of the pattern is an approximate <br />indication of total ionic content. <br />Additional `x:y' correlative graphs were plotted to determine if certain anion:cation <br />combinations demonstrated any trends. These graphical displays included an analysis of <br />pHaulfate, pH:conductivity, magnesium:calcium, sodium:potassium, sodium:chloride, and <br />potassium chloride. <br />For quality assurance/quality control purposes, a field duplicate was collected from the <br />underground sump. This location was felt to be best suited as a `blind' QA/QC sample since the <br />concentrations may test the limits of standazd methods. It is therefore up to the laboratory to <br />meet the needed dilution or adjusted calibration range for the reporting limits. Results of the <br />duplicate analysis as compared to its matched original sample indicate that both the field and <br />laboratory methods were performed within acceptable control limits. <br />Discussion and Conclusions <br />Water is a very strong solvent capable of dissolving most solids to some degree (referred to as <br />solutes). Of the many solutes found in groundwater, only a few are present at concentrations <br />greater than 1 mg/L under natural conditions. These are referred to as the major ions and consist <br />of the anions bicarbonate/cazbonate (HCO3%CO3z-), sulfate (SOaz"), chloride (Cl"), and nitrate <br />(NO3~), and cations including calcium (CaZ~, magnesium (MgZ+), sodium (Na'), and potassium <br />(K'). The more common `trace' or minor elements that occur in groundwater include iron (Fe), <br />Page 10 of 16 <br />