The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 972, P. 179074 - 179074

Published: March 18, 2025

River ecosystems are fundamental to sustaining global water and biogeochemical cycles, as well supporting biodiversity. However, increasing pressures from human activities climate change pose significant challenges the stability of these systems. This study examines sources geochemical variability in river waters Tiber Basin (central Italy) assess system's sensitivity environmental changes, with a special focus on seasonal variations. The proposed methods combine exploration multivariate parameters, known Principal Balances (PBs), within Compositional Data Analysis framework, interpretation basins attraction their density distributions. Results indicate that NO3-, largely influenced by activity, drives higher chemistry, overshadowing natural processes such water-rock interactions, which manifest at lower levels. Additionally, effects were explored highlighting greater during dry periods relevant changes proportions some solutes (i.e. Cl-/Na+). PBs approach offers valuable insights into system functioning principles compared Component Analysis, demonstrating wider applicability, particularly when combined These findings emphasize dominant role anthropogenic factors shaping importance identifying key parameters for monitoring informing resource management policy decisions. much work remains improve understanding link between distribution order explore changes.

Language: Английский