Groundwater quality assessment using data clustering based on hybrid Bayesian networks

• Published in: Stochastic environmental research and risk assessment Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 435 - 447
• Main Authors: Aguilera, Pedro A, Fernández, Antonio, Ropero, Rosa F, Molina, Luís
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; artificial intelligence; Bayesian analysis; Bayesian theory; Chemistry and Earth Sciences; cluster analysis; Clusters; Computational Intelligence; Computer Science; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Environment; Groundwater; Math. Appl. in Environmental Science; Networks; Neural networks; Original Paper; Physics; Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes; Quality assessment; Risk; Sampling; Statistics for Engineering; uncertainty; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Groundwater quality; Mixtures of truncated exponentials; Probabilistic data clustering; Hybrid Bayesian networks
• ISSN: 1436-3240; 1436-3259
• DOI: 10.1007/s00477-012-0676-8

Bayesian networks (BNs) have become a standard in the field of Artificial Intelligence as a means of dealing with uncertainty and risk modelling. In recent years, there has been particular interest in the simultaneous use of continuous and discrete domains, obviating the need for discretization, using so-called hybrid BNs. In these hybrid environments, Mixtures of Truncated Exponentials (MTEs) provide a suitable solution for working without any restriction. The objective of this study is the assessment of groundwater quality through the design and application of a probabilistic clustering, based on hybrid Bayesian networks with MTEs. Firstly, the results obtained allows the differentiation of three groups of sampling points, indicating three different classes of groundwater quality. Secondly, the probability that a sampling point belongs to each cluster allows the uncertainty in the clusters to be assessed, as well as the risks associated in terms of water quality management. The methodology developed could be applied to other fields in environmental sciences.