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Research about New Jersey

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including New Jersey.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
USGS1987

Preliminary assessment of water quality and its relation to hydrogeology and land use: Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system, New Jersey

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.

New Jersey↗
USGS1987

Hydrogeology, ground-water quality, and the possible effects of a hypothetical radioactive-water spill, Plainsboro Township, New Jersey

Princeton University, under contract to the Department of Energy , maintains a Tokamak fusion test reactor in New Jersey. The U.S. Geological Survey investigated groundwater flow and estimated the effects of a hypothetical spill of radioactive water at the site on the local groundwater system. The study included test drilling; aquifer testing; measurement of water levels, infiltration capacity, and stream discharge; and a simulation of the hypothetical spill. The Triassic Stockton Formation-a water supply aquifer composed primarily of jointed siltstone and sandstone-underlies the site. The aquifer is confined by overlying weathered bedrock and underlying unjointed rock. Weathered bedrock is overlain by unconsolidated, partially saturated material which ranges from 6 to 39 ft in thickness. Groundwater recharge is by lateral flow into the study area, stream leakage, and precipitation. Discharge is by pumpage, evapotranspiration, stream inflow, and lateral flow out of the study area. Transmissivity of the aquifer is about 1,740 sq ft/day, and the storage coefficient is about 0.0002. The average linear velocity of groundwater at the site ranges from 100 to 270 ft/yr depending on location and time of year. The velocity over a large part of the site is controlled by on-site pumpage. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for common ions, trace metals, and tritium. The analyses reported no concentrations of common ions or trace metals which exceeded the criteria for drinking water standards recommended by the EPA, except for some instances of moderately high concentrations of iron and manganese. Iron and manganese are common in groundwater and surface water in the area and are not indicative of an on-site source of contamination. Tritium concentrations in the collected samples were also considered representative of background levels and were well below the maximum concentration permitted by the EPA. The fate of spilled radioactive water after a hypothetical accident would depend on the nature of the accident and weather. If the on-site pumpage continued after a spill, groundwater leaving the site probably would have only minimal tritium concentrations, but stream water leaving the site could contain significant tritium concentrations.

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USGS1986

Colony site selection and abandonment by least terns Sterna antillarum in New Jersey, USA

To develop habitat and management procedures to protect declining populations of least terns, colony site selection and abandonment by this species was investigated at 26 sites in New Jersey. Multivariate analysis was used to compare (1) colony sites to adjacent unused areas, (2) those located on beaches to dredge spoil sites and (3) abandoned to occupied colony sites. The presence of shells or pebbles in a sandy substrate, and short, sparse vegetation, were the habitat characteristics of New Jersey least tern colony sites most strongly correlated with colony site selection. Dredge spoil sites had significantly greater evidence of human disturbance, distance to water, and proportion of coarse particles in the substrate than beach sites. These differences may have contributed to the smaller colonines and greater colony turnover rates at spoil sites relative to beach sites. Overall, abandoned colony site characteristics did not differ significantly from occupied sites. However, human disturbance, over-growth of vegetation, predation, and flooding were all prevalent at colonies prior to abandonment. The results of this study suggest techniques for habitat management of both least and little terns.

New Jersey↗
USGS1986

Field comparison of shallow seismic sources

Choosing a seismic source for a shallow reflection survey can be the most pivotal decision for the engineering geophysicist. The intent of this paper is to present data that will assist in selection of a shallow seismic source best meeting the goals within the constraints of specific projects, particularly in areas where the water table is near the surface. The data were collected (and displayed as seismograms and amplitude spectra) for 15 different shallow seismic sources in October, 1985, at a single site in New Jersey; they show the different characteristics of each source. Considering the almost three orders of magnitude difference in total source energy between the largest and smallest source, we chose a display format that presented the data as objectively as possible, while still allowing direct source‐to‐source comparisons. Two strong reflections at about 100 and 130 ms probably mark the top and bottom of a clay unit 80 m below the surface at this site. Our previous work and that of our colleagues suggests that, given a specific set of site characteristics, any source could dominate the comparison categories addressed here.

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USGS1986

Ground-water-quality data for Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, 1958-85

The water resources of Picatinny Arsenal in northern New Jersey are described using the results of 1,129 analyses of groundwater , including 522 determinations of inorganic constituents and 607 determinations of organic constituents. Water samples were collected from 56 wells on the site from 1958 through 1985. Of these wells, 50 are screened in stratified drift aquifers and 6 are in bedrock. Samples were collected and analyzed by a total of four agencies: one State, one Federal, and two private. Of the 1,129 samples, 51 were collected and analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The data on inorganic constituents exhibit much variability. Specific conductance ranges from 40 to 2,150 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees C, pH ranges from 2.9 units to 10 units, and dissolved solids ranges from 51 to 1,210 milligrams per liter. Trace elements that display wide variations in concentration ranges are iron (<2 to 540,000 micrograms/L), manganese (<1 to 55,000 micrograms/L), and zinc (<3 to 1,900 micrograms/L). The organic compounds with the widest variations in concentration are: 1 ,2-transdichloroethylene (<1 to 542 micrograms/L), tetrachloroethylene (<1 to 386 micrograms/L), 1,1 ,1-trichloroethane (<1 to 1,780 micrograms/L), and trichloroethylene (<1 to 25,000 micrograms/L).

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USGS1985

Attitude, movement history, and structure of cataclastic rocks of the Flemington Fault results of core drilling near Oldwick, New Jersey

Since 1978, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has cored cataclastic rocks at six localities along border faults of the Early Mesozoic Newark basin in New York and New Jersey. This drilling was done as part of fault definition studies for the USGS Earthquake and Reactor Hazard Programs. The purposes of these studies are to: (1) determine the attitude and location of major faults, (2) assess evidence for recent reactivation, and (3) identify the movement history and depth of formation of the faults. The results of these studies up to 1980 are summarized in Ratcliffe (1980) and a study of a site in Rockland County, N.Y. appears in Ratcliffe 1982). The attitude and movement history of these faults is particularly important because of the possible association of recent low-level seismicity in the New York-New Jersey area with the Ramapo-Flemington fault system (Aggarwal and Sykes, 1978). Previous studies have shown that the Ramapo fault dips to the southeast at angles varying from 70&deg; to 45&deg; and strikes N. 40&deg; E. to N. 10&deg; E. In all of the cored fault zones, the actual contact of hanging-wall and footwall blocks is expressed as a relatively narrow zone, 3 to 8 inches thick, of dark, finely comminuted, fluxionbanded gouge. The intensity of cataclasis decreases rapidly upwards so that rocks 60 ft or so above the fault are not strongly cataclastic. Gneiss, dolostone, and phyllonite in the footwall block are generally weakly deformed more than 30 ft below the fault. Movement sense on the Ramapo fault is largely dip-slip and right-oblique normal faulting. In the summer of 1983, two holes were drilled through the border fault of the Newark basin near Oldwick, New Jersey, in the Gladstone 7.5minute quadrangle. Figure 1A shows the location of the drill site in relation to regional geology and the major faults. The fault drilled in this study connects to the south with the Flemington fault, which trends southwestward across the Newark basin, as shown. To the north, the fault can be traced along the valley that extends towards Mendham, N. J., beyond the limits of exposed Mesozoic rocks, to connect with the Ramapo fault near Morristown N. J. (fig. 1A; Ratcliffe, 1980). For this reason, we use the name "Flemington" for the border fault in the region of the drill site. A detailed map (fig. 1B) shows the local geology along the border fault from Pottersville, N. J. southward to the axis of the Oldwick syncline.

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USGS1985

Management of ground water and evolving hydrogeologic studies in New Jersey : a heavily urbanized and industrialized state in the northeastern United States

New Jersey is the most densely populated and one of the most industrialized states in the United States. An abundance of freshwater and proximity to major northeastern metropolitan centers has facilitated this development. Pumpage of freshwater from all aquifers in the State in 1980 was 730 million gallons per day (2.76 million cubic meters per day). Management and efficient development of the ground-water resources of the State are the responsibility of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Laws have been enacted and updated by the State legislature to manage water allocation and to control the disposal of hazardous wastes. Present resource management is guided by the New Jersey Water-Supply Master Plan of 1981. Funding for management activities is partially derived from the sale of state-approved bonds. Effective planning and regional management require accurate and up-to-date hydrologic information and analyses. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Geological Survey, is conducting three intensive ground-water studies involving the collection and interpretation of hydrologic data to meet the urgent water-management needs of New Jersey. These studies are part of a long-term cooperative program and are funded through the Water-Supply Bond Act of 1981. They began in 1983 and are scheduled to be completed in 1988. The project areas are situated in the New Jersey part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain in and near Atlantic City, Camden, and South River. They range in size from 400 to 1,200 mil (1,040 to 3,120 km2). The studies are designed to define the geology, hydrology, and geochemistry of the local ground-water systems. The results of these studies will enable the State to address more effectively major problems in these areas such as declining water levels, overpumping, saltwater intrusion, and ground-water contamination resulting from the improper disposal of hazardous wastes. Specific objectives of these studies by the U.S. Geological Survey are to (1) develop an accurate and up-to-date hydrogeologic data base, (2) design and implement a data-collection program and establish a computerized information management system, (3) refine the conceptualization of the ground-water flow system, and (4) define the geochemistry of the aquifer system by conducting a water-quality appraisal. The objectives are accomplished by standard hydrogeologic methods. Information concerning hydrogeologic framework, ground-water levels, water use, hydraulic characteristics, and water quality in the study areas is compiled from all available sources. Additional data needed are collected through well inventories, surface geophysical surveys, water-quality samplings, water-level measurements, and a well-drilling program. Interpretation of the flow system is based on the use of standard analytical techniques and digital flow modeling. Calibrated flow models will provide ground-water managers with a mechanism to develop and test regional water-supply strategies. Definition of the geochemistry of the aquifer system is accomplished through a variety of methods which depend on the problems and available data in the particular study area. The approach includes statistical analysis of water-quality data, reaction-path modeling, and determination of the movement of chemical constituents using analytical and numerical modeling techniques. A combined staff of 25 to 30 professionals and technicians from the New Jersey District office of the U.S. Geological Survey is committed to the three studies. The staff has specialists in geohydrology, numerical modeling, geochemistry, geophysics, and computer science. The findings of these studies will be published in data reports, interpretive reports, instructional manuals and journal articles.

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USGS1984

Evaluation of the potential hazard to barn owls of talon (brodifacoum bait) used to control rats and house mice

During 1980, a radiotelemetry study on barn owls ( Tyto alba ) was conducted to evaluate the secondary hazards of the anticoagulant rodenticide TALON® (containing 0.005% brodifacoum) when it was used for controlling rats ( Rattus spp.) and house mice ( Mus musculus ) on farms. Thirty‐five active nests were located in about 1,100 km 2 (430 mi 2 ) in southwestern New Jersey. Starting on June 9, 1980, radio transmitters with tail clips were attached to 26 adult nesting barn owls and 8 fledged young of the year. In one 20‐km 2 (about 8 mi 2 ) area, which was the most intensively searched, 12 active barn owl nests were located. Of all 35 active nests, 66% were in trees, 11% in barns, 8.5% in silos, 8.5% in chimneys and 6% in miscellaneous locations. Analysis of regurgitated pellets showed that meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) were the most common prey at all sites. Although Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) and house mice occurred in some pellet collections, they made up only a small part of the diet (3.9% rats and 2% mice) of barn owls in the study area. Baiting at farms with TALON was begun on July 24, and ended on September 29, 1980. TALON was not observed to cause or implicated in barn owl mortality during the study. However, trace residues (< 0.05 ppm, the limit of determination) of brodifacoum were found in one electrocuted barn owl. Young barn owls were fledged from at least eight sites where poisoned rodents were available on the farms for at least part of the nesting and feeding period (including pre‐ and postfledging). Furthermore, radiotelemetry confirmed that at least 9, and possibly 12, of the radio‐equipped owls were present on sites posttreatment, when census evaluations showed commensal rodents were present and consuming TALON bait.

New Jersey↗
USGS1984

Spring sapping on the lower continental slope, offshore New Jersey

Undersea discharge of ground water during periods of lower sea level may have eroded valleys on part of the lower continental slope, offshore New Jersey. Steep-headed basins, cliffed and terraced walls, and irregular courses of these valleys may have been produced by sapping of exposed near-horizontal Tertiary strata. Joints in Eocene calcareous rocks would have localized ground-water movement. Some karstlike features of the submarine topography and the outcrops suggest that solution of the calcareous rocks also took place.

New Jersey↗
USGS1984

The use of decoys to attract Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) to abandoned colony sites in New Jersey

The number of Least Tern colony sites in New Jersey has declined in recent years. Decoys were used at two recently abandoned Least Tern colony sites in New Jersey to encourage nesting. The sites were chosen because of their apparent suitability as colony sites and the relative ease of protecting them from human disturbance and predators. Least Terns were observed flying over and landing at both sites, although nesting occurred at only one site. The effect of decoys was statically significant at the colony site used for nesting. At this site, 44.5% of the landings occurred in the plot containing decoys and only 10.6% o the landings were in the control plot. Nesting was initiated among the decoys. These results indicate that decoys can be used to attract Least Terns to abandoned colony sites and may be useful for managing Least Terns and other colonial nesting birds.

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