Environmental Evaluation of Springs in the Intensely Cultivated and Industrialized Inland Plain of Cuneo （Northwest Italy）

Sixty springs of the Cuneo Province inland plains were sampled and analyzed for several chemical variables. Multi-variate analysis （PCA） of all the data was undertaken. The first principal component was positively correlated with chlorides, sulphites, hardness, and negatively correlated with altitude. The second principal component was positively correlated with DO and pH. Results showed that 4 groups of springs could be distinguished on the basis of environmental variables. A small number of springs did not group with the geographically more proximal springs but with another group due to a greater degree of affinity on the basis of the hydrochemical variables.