Investigation of acidity and other water-quality characteristics of Upper Oyster Creek, Ocean County, New Jersey

Fusillo, Thomas V.; Schornick, J. C., Jr.; Koester, H. E.; Harriman, D. A.

Abstract:

Water-quality data collected in the upper Oyster Creek drainage basin, Ocean County, N.J., indicate that the stream has excellent water quality except for a persistently low pH. The mean concentrations of the major inorganic ions were all less than 6.0 milligrams per liter. Mean concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were 0.15 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. Dissolved oxygen averaged 8.7 mg/L and 81% saturation. Low pH levels are typical of streams draining cedar swamps. In Oyster Creek, the pH tended to decrease downstream due to chemical and biological processes. The pH levels in swamps were one-half unit or more lower than the pH levels in the adjacent stream. Sharp declines in stream pH were noted during runoff periods as the result of the mixing of poorly-buffered stream water with more highly acidic water from surrounding swamp areas. The quality of ground water within the study area was similar to the quality of streamflow, except for higher iron and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations and a higher pH range of 4.9 to 6.5. Precipitation represented a major source of many chemical constituents in the ground- and surface-waters of the Oyster Creek basin. (USGS)

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

25615

Citation Author:

Fusillo, Thomas V.; Schornick, J. C., Jr.; Koester, H. E.; Harriman, D. A.

Citation Contributing Office:

New Jersey Water Science Center

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ENGLISH

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Citation Phsyical Description:

v, 30 p. :ill., maps; 28 cm.

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Citation Public Comments:

Prepared in cooperation with the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish, Game, and Shell Fisheries

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Water-Resources Investigations Report

Citation Series Code:

WRI

Citation Series Number:

80-10

Citation Search Results Text:

Investigation of acidity and other water-quality characteristics of Upper Oyster Creek, Ocean County, New Jersey; 1980; WRI; 80-10; Fusillo, Thomas V.; Schornick, J. C., Jr.; Koester, H. E.; Harriman, D. A.