Distribution and trend of nitrate, chloride, and total solids in water in the Magothy aquifer in southeast Nassau County, New York, from the 1950's through 1973

Concentrations of nitrate, chloride, and total solids in water in the Magothy aquifer, southeast Nassau County, N.Y., show a steadily increasing trend from the early 1950 's through 1973. Vertical distribution of nitrate, chloride, and total-solids concentrations as shown in cross sections of the study area indicate downward movement of these constituents from tens of feet to a few hundred feet in this time period. Maximum concentrations are in a zone underlying the areas of Westbury, Hicksville, and Plainview. Nitrate (as nitrogen) concentration increased from 4-5 mg/liter to 7 mg/liter in the area of Westbury and from 3 to 10 mg/liter in Plainview during the period 1950-73. Lowest nitrate concentrations are in the area south of a line running from North Merrick to South Farmingdale. Also, during the period analyzed (1950-73), a 10-mg/liter line of equal-chloride concentration on a cross section in the Westbury area moved downward a distance of less than 50 feet, and in the area of Hicksville, nearly 150 feet. Total-solids concentration doubled during the period 1950-73 in the area of Plainview, where maximum downward movement of pollutants was observed. (Woodard-USGS)