Principal component analysis for the identification of pollution sources in mussel survey by trace metals

Principal component analysis has been applied to analyze the correlation matrix obtained from a 8 X 43 data matrix. The 8 trace metals are Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, which are contained in the soft part of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck). Mussels were sampled from two sites in the Gulf of Trieste. In both samples, 76-78% of the total variance is explained by the four principal components. The orthogonally rotated factor matrix indicates that Co and Ni are bonded to the first principal component and Cd and Pb to the first (site 2) or second principal component (site 1). The origin of trace metals in the soft part of mussels from the Gulf of Trieste is discussed.