Use of principal component scores in multiple linear regression models for simulation of chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton abundance at a karst deep reservoir, southwest of China

• Published in: Acta ecologica Sinica Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 72 - 78
• Main Authors: Qiuhua, Li, Lihai, Shang, Tingjing, Gao, Lei, Zhang, Teng, Ou, Guojia, Huang, Chuan, Chen, Cunxiong, Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Chlorophyll-a; Phytoplankton; Principal component scores; Reservoir; Stepwise linear regression analysis; Principal component scores; Phytoplankton; Reservoir; Chlorophyll-a; Stepwise linear regression analysis
• ISSN: 1872-2032; 1872-2032
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2013.11.009

The relationships between chlorophyll-a, phytoplankton abundance and 20 chemical, physical and biological water quality variables were studied by using principal component scores (PCs) in stepwise linear regression analysis (SLR) to simulate chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton abundance at a karst deep reservoir, southwest of China. Score values obtained by PC scores were used as independent variables in multiple linear regression models. The following models were used to simulate chlorophyll-a and abundance of Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Pyrrophyta respectively: chlorophyll-a1=10.501+1.390 (score 1) (P<0.01), chlorophyll-a 2=10.501+1.102 (score 1)−0.877 (score 2) (P<0.05), log10 (Cyanobacteria)=1.277−0.726 (score 2) (P<0.05), log10 (Chlorophyta)=3.927−0.150 (score 2) (P<0.01), log10 (Bacillariophyta)=4.872−0.131 (score 4) (P<0.01) and log10 (Pyrrophyta)=2.463+0.578 (score 1) (P<0.05). The models could be used to simulate chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton abundance levels successfully, and revealed that DO, WD, Tem, TD, pH, NH4–N and TSS were the most important factors regulating the composition of chlorophyll-a and Pyrrophyta abundance. ORP, Cl−, SO42-, TN were the main factors affecting Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria abundance. F− and Ca2+ were the main factors influencing the Bacillariophyta abundance.