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Water-quality data for the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, Trenton to Pennsville, New Jersey, 1980

January 1, 1981

Samples for chemical analysis were collected from June to December 1980 from 262 wells tapping the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system. The samples were analyzed for common ions, dissolved metals, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, pH, temperature, and specific conductance. This report contains the results of the analyses, well construction data for the wells sampled, and simple statistical summaries for each parameter. Most parameters showed wide variations in concentration. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon ranged from 0 to 108 mg/L (milligrams per liter), with a median of 1.7 mg/L. Chloride concentration ranged from 0.8 to 810 mg/L, with a median of 15 mg/L. Iron concentration ranged from 3 micrograms per liter to 79,000 micrograms per liter, with a median of 1,400 micrograms per liter. Detectable concentrations of volatile organic compounds were found in 46 wells, approximately 19 percent of the 246 wells sampled for such compounds. Trichloroethylene and benzene, the most common compounds, were detected in 24 and 18 wells, respectively. The maximum concentrations of several compounds detected include: benzene, 1,960 micrograms per liter; 1,1-dichloroethylene, 670 micrograms per liter; trichloroethylene, 472 micrograms per liter; and tetrachloroethylene, 335 micrograms per liter.

Publication Year 1981
Title Water-quality data for the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, Trenton to Pennsville, New Jersey, 1980
DOI 10.3133/ofr81814
Authors Thomas V. Fusillo, Lois M. Voronin
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 81-814
Index ID ofr81814
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse