Determining the origin of a river using multivariate statistical techniques: a case study of Shavor River, Iran

The origin of the Shavor River in Khuzestan Plain, Iran, is controversial. This river is conventionally taken to be formed by the confluence of several springs, and no specific catchment area has been considered for it. Different hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin of the Shavor River due to the presence of aquifers in the region and surface water flows. The intention of this study was to reveal the hidden factors responsible for the origin of the Shavor River using multivariate analysis, including cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The study included 37 samples of groundwater and samples from three surface-water stations located on the Shavor, Dez, and Karkheh rivers. The results of statistical analyses revealed general similarity between the water compositions of the Shavor River, Dez River, and the aquifer on the left (east) bank of the Shavor River. The water of the Karkheh River showed the least similarity with the other samples. The hypothesis that the Shavor River is fed by groundwater, and that there are contributions from the Dez River to the aquifer, is more likely to be accepted. Therefore, this study is significant in providing insights into the origin of the Shavor River, which can contribute to more effective management and sustainable use of water resources in the Khuzestan Plain.