Descriptive statistics and stationarity in environmental geochemical variables

The ordinary kriging technique was chosen as the geostatistical method applied to work because such technique is advised for studies in areas where there are data with variables that might present spatial dependence, like the geochemical variables, and also because it is indicated for data presenting stationarity.

The methodology used for this research involved, besides literature review, data collection of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr and Pb) that were partially extracted from surface samples (0 to 10 cm) of soils and sediments collected in the field. We also determined the values of pH, salinity, total nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter and particle size. Statistical analyzes, semivariogram development, ordinary kriging use and, lastly, cross validation were performed to measure the uncertainty of the previous measurement of data.