Preliminary assessment of water quality and its relation to hydrogeology and land use: Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, New Jersey
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Abstract
The relation of water quality to hydrogeology and land use was evaluated using analysis of water samples from 71 wells in the northern part of the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system in New Jersey. The sampling network was evaluated for variations in hydrogeology. Well depths, pumping rates, and the number of wells in the confined and unconfined parts of the aquifer system did not differ among land-use groups. The influences of hydrogeologic factors on water quality were evaluated without considering land use. Shallow wells had the highest specific conductance and major ion concentrations. Water from wells in the unconfined part of the aquifer system had the highest dissolved organic carbon concentration. Dissolved oxygen and nitrate concentrations were lowest, trace metals concentrations were highest, and phenols were detected most frequently in groundwater from undeveloped land. Major ions and trace metals concentrations were lowest, dissolved oxygen and copper concentrations were highest, and pesticides were most frequently detected in groundwater from agricultural land. Nitrate concentrations were highest and orthophosphate, nitrite, and purgeable organics were detected most frequently in groundwater from urban land. These water quality data were compared to data from the same aquifer system in southern New Jersey. Frequencies of detection of purgeable organics among land-use groups were similar in the northern and southern areas.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Preliminary assessment of water quality and its relation to hydrogeology and land use: Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, New Jersey |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 87-4023 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri874023 |
| Year Published | 1987 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | vi, 79 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| Other Geospatial | Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |