A background color scheme for piper plots to spatially visualize hydrochemical patterns

Area of Science:

• Hydrogeology
• Geochemistry
• Data Visualization

Background:

• Piper plots are essential for visualizing groundwater chemistry.
• Linking spatial data to Piper plots has been a challenge.
• Existing methods lack direct spatial attribute integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel color-enhanced Piper plot.
• To integrate spatial attributes directly into Piper plot visualization.
• To improve the interpretation of groundwater chemistry in relation to aquifer characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A perceptually uniform background color scheme was designed for Piper plots.
• The color scheme links spatial locations to the Piper plot.
• The method was applied to a groundwater quality dataset from the Condamine Alluvium.

Main Results:

• The colored Piper plot effectively visualizes the spatial distribution of groundwater chemistry.
• It facilitates the interpretation of hydrogeochemical processes based on location.
• The study demonstrates improved understanding of groundwater dynamics in the Condamine Alluvium.

Conclusions:

• The color-enhanced Piper plot significantly improves the integration of spatial and chemical groundwater data.
• This visualization technique enhances the interpretation of aquifer systems.
• It offers a valuable tool for hydrogeological studies and groundwater management.