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Classification of natural mineral and spring bottled waters of Portugal using Principal Component Analysis

Abstract:

Considering its area, Portugal is one of the world's richest countries in mineral and spring waters. There are 33 different types of bottled water, 18 of which are classified as natural mineral water and the remaining as spring water. The majority of these waters are of low mineralisation in comparison to most European bottled waters. Principal component analysis was used to identify the main geotectonic interrelationships among physico-chemical parameters, enhancing similarities and dissimilarities, and contributing to a new typology of bottled waters, based on their hydrochemical characteristics and geological occurrence. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.