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J. A. Macy

Publications and source records attributed to J. A. Macy.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Surface-water and streambed-sediment quality of streams draining surface-mined land reclaimed with sewage sludge, Fulton County, Illinois, 1972-89

Sewage sludge has been used to reclaim surface- mined land in Fulton County, Ill. The sludge contains substantial concentrations of nutrients and significant concentrations of toxic organic compounds. Because of the concern of the fate of these toxins, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago began an analysis of historical data in 1989 to compare the quality of water and streambed sediments to determine whether the application of sludge is adversely affecting the quality of surface water. Trend analyses on surface-water-quality data suggest that sludge application is affecting the quality of water in Evelyn Branch in the form of increased concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate and kjeldahl nitrogen. However, the concentrations of these constituents in Evelyn Branch, the stream draining the sludge-application field, are small compared to the concentrations upstream from the project area. Analysis of the streambed-quality data indicates that, for the constituents measured, the application of sludge is not affecting the streambed quality in Evelyn Branch. Trend analyses of streambed constituents did not indicate any adverse effects that could be related to the application of sludge. However, the avail- able data are not adequate to determine if the quality of the streambed has been adversely affected by the sludge application. A refinement of the sampling scheme would be necessary to rule out the possibility of present and future adverse effects of sludge application on streambed quality.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Water resources data, West Virginia, water year 1988

Water-resources data for the 1988 water year for West Virginia consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; contents of reservoirs; and water levels of observation wells. This report contains discharge records for 79 streamflow-gaging stations; stage only records for 7 gaging stations, and 2 crest-stage partial-record stations; (2) change in contents for 1 reservoir; (3) water-quality records for 15 streamflow-gaging stations; and (4) water-level records for 30 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4 and 5. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in West Virginia.

West Virginia↗

Water resources data, West Virginia, water year 1989

Water-resources data for the 1989 water year for West Virginia consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; contents of reservoirs; and water levels of observation wells. This report contains discharge records for 81 streamflow-gaging stations; stage only records for 7 gaging stations; annual maximum discharge at 2 crest-stage partial-record stations; change in contents for 1 reservoir; water-quality records for 14 streamflow-gaging stations; and water-level records for 31 observation wells. Locations of these sites are shown on figures 4 and 5. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in West Virginia.

West Virginia↗

Trace-metal leaching from plumbing materials exposed to acidic ground water in three areas of the coastal plain of New Jersey

The U.S. Geological Survey analyzed trace metal concentrations in tap water from domestic wells in newly constructed homes in Berkeley Township, Ocean County and Galloway Township, Atlantic County, N. J. The potable water distribution systems in all of the homes sampled are constructed primarily of copper with lead-based solder points. Home water treatment is used in Berkeley Township but not in Galloway Township. Tap water was collected after the water had been standing in the pipes overnight. In Berkeley, 6 to 11 samples exceeded both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's primary drinking water regulation (DWR) for lead (50 microgram/L) and the secondary drinking water regulation (SDWR) for copper (1,000 microgram/L). In Galloway, 12 of 14 samples exceeded the DWR for lead and 13 of 14 exceeded the SDWR for copper. After collecting the standing-water samples, the water was left running for 15 minutes and a second sample was collected. None of the running-water samples exceeded the regulations for lead or copper. Available data suggest a correlation between the residence time of soft, acidic groundwater in new home plumbing systems and elevated trace-metal concentrations in drinking water derived from domestic wells within the New Jersey Coastal Plain. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Delineation and description of the regional aquifer systems of Tennessee; Cumberland Plateau aquifer system

The Cumberland Plateau aquifer system consists of Pennsylvanian sandstones, conglomerates, shales, and coals which underlie the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Major water-bearing zones occur within the sandstones and conglomerates in interconnected fractures. The water-bearing formations are separated by shale and siltstone that retard the vertical circulation of ground water, The Pennington Formation serves as the base of this aquifer system and is an effective confining unit, The Cumberland Plateau aquifer system is an important water source for the Cumberland Plateau, wells and springs from the aquifer system supply most of the rural domestic and public drinking-water supplies, water from wells drilled into the Cumberland Plateau aquifer system is generally of good to excellent quality. Of the 32 water-quality analyses on file from this aquifer. only 2 had dissolved-solids concentrations greater than 500 milligrams per liter, and about three-fourths had less than 200 milligrams per liter dissolved solids, However, no samples from depths greater than 300 feet below land surface have been recorded. Ground water from locations where the sandstones are buried deeply, such as the Wartburg basin, may contain dissolved-solids concentrations greater than 1,000 milligrams per liter.

Open-File Report↗

Delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee; basal sandstone aquifer west of the Valley and Ridge Province

The basal sandstone aquifer is believed to underlie most of Tennessee west of the Valley and Ridge Province. It is a Cambrian sandstone that overlies the granites of the Precambrian basement complex. The basal sandstone is a poorly known resource defined only by 14 data points (wells) for the entire state of Tennessee. Because the aquifer occurs at depths of more than 5 ,500 feet below land surface, and is overlain by about 1,000 feet of low permeability Paleozoic carbonates and shales. Consequently vertical recharge to the aquifer is probably very small per unit area. Data from two sampling sites indicate that the basal sandstone aquifer has low porosity and permeability. The concentrations of dissolved solids in water from the basal sandstone aquifer range from less than 10,000 mg/L to more than 200,000 mg/L. It is believed that some of the values above 50 ,000 mg/L are due to contaminants from nearby disposal wells. This aquifer is not being used as a source of drinking water because of its great depth, the presence of shallower sources, suspected low yields, and possible concentrations of more than 10,000 mg/L dissolved solids. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

Preliminary delineation and description of the regional aquifers of Tennessee: The east Tennessee aquifer system

The east Tennessee aquifer system occurs in the Valley and Ridge and the Blue Ridge provinces of Tennessee. These areas are underlain by rocks of Precambrian to Pennsylvanian age which have been structurally deformed and faulted during the Appalachian orogeny. Groundwater in the Valley and Ridge occurs primarily in solution openings in carbonate rocks and in fractures in sandstone and shale. Fractures in the crystalline rocks store and transmit most of the groundwater in the Blue Ridge province. The east Tennessee aquifer system is important as a source of rural and municipal drinking water. Within 300 ft of land surface, groundwater generally contains less than 500 milligrams/L dissolved solids. At greater depths, fractures and solution openings are smaller and fewer in number. There are very little data to define groundwater occurrence at depths greater than about 300 ft. Groundwater flow may be restricted and the dissolved solids concentrations in the groundwater may reach thousands or even ten thousands of milligrams/L.

Tennessee↗