Multivariate data analysis applied to salt efflorescences occurring at Sta. Marija Tà Cwerra Church (Malta)

Abstract

Benzécri Multiple Correspondence Factor Analysis (MCFA) is applied to data obtained by chemical analytical techniques of salt efflorescences collected at Sta. Marija Ta’ Cwerra Church, in Malta. The Information gathered is multivariate and simultaneously qualitative and quantitative. This study shows the power as well as the limitations of MCFA in the search for relationships among groups of variables of quite different origin. It allows also to get Information, insight and knowledge from sets of qualitative and quantitative variables with an economy of starting hipothesis. MCFA seems an important and powerful mathematical tool to be adopted in data processing supporting a new methodology for studies based in interdisciplinary analytical techniques applied to the understanding of the monuments stone decay phnomena.