Ground-Water Quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Elizabeth A. Nystrom

Publication_Date: 2008

Title: Ground-Water Quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006

Edition:

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form:

Series_Information:

Series_Name: USGS Open File Report

Issue_Identification: OFR 2008-1086

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place:

Publisher: USGS

Other_Citation_Details:

Online_Linkage: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1086/

Description:

Abstract:

Water samples were collected from 27 wells from August through November 2006 to characterize ground-water quality in the Mohawk River Basin. The Mohawk River Basin covers 3,500 square miles in central New York; most of the basin is underlain by sedimentary bedrock, including shale, sandstone, and carbonates. Sand and gravel form the most productive aquifers in the basin. Samples were collected from 13 sand and gravel wells and 14 bedrock wells, including production and domestic wells. The samples were collected and processed through standard U.S. Geological Survey procedures and were analyzed for 226 physical properties and constituents, including physical properties, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, radon-222, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and bacteria. Many constituents were not detected in any sample, but concentrations of some constituents exceeded current or proposed Federal or New York State drinking-water quality standards, including color (1 sample), pH (2 samples), sodium (11 samples), chloride (2 samples), fluoride (1 sample), sulfate (1 sample), aluminum (2 samples), arsenic (2 samples), iron (10 samples), manganese (10 samples), radon-222 (12 samples), and bacteria (6 samples). Dissolved oxygen concentrations were greater in samples from sand and gravel wells (median 5.6 milligrams per liter [mg/L]) than from bedrock wells (median 0.2 mg/L). The pH was typically neutral or slightly basic (median 7.3); the median water temperature was 11°C. The ions with the highest concentrations were bicarbonate (median 276 mg/L), calcium (median 58.9 mg/L), and sodium (median 41.9 mg/L). Ground water in the basin is generally very hard (180 mg/L as CaCO3 or greater), especially in the Mohawk Valley and areas with carbonate bedrock. Nitrate-plus-nitrite concentrations were generally higher samples from sand and gravel wells (median concentration 0.28 mg/L as N) than in samples from bedrock wells (median < 0.06 mg/L as N), although no concentrations exceeded established State or Federal drinking-water standards of 10 mg/L as N for nitrate and 1 mg/L as N for nitrite. Ammonia concentrations were higher in samples from bedrock wells (median 0.349 mg/L as N) than in those from samples from sand and gravel wells (median 0.006 mg/L as N). The trace elements with the highest concentrations were strontium (median 549 micrograms per liter [¼g/L]), iron (median 143 ¼g/L), boron (median 35 ¼g/L), and manganese (median 31.1 ¼g/L). Concentrations of several trace elements, including boron, copper, iron, manganese, and strontium, were higher in samples from bedrock wells than those from sand and gravel wells. The highest radon-222 activities were in samples from bedrock wells (maximum 1,360 pCi/L); 44 percent of all samples exceeded a proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard of 300 pCi/L. Nine pesticides and pesticide degradates were detected in six samples at concentrations of 0.42 ¼g/L or less; all were herbicides or their degradates, and most were degradates of alachlor, atrazine, and metolachlor. Six volatile organic compounds were detected in four samples at concentrations of 0.8 ¼g/L or less, including four trihalomethanes, tetrachloroethene, and toluene; most detections were in sand and gravel wells and none of the concentrations exceeded drinking water standards. Coliform bacteria were detected in six samples but fecal coliform bacteria, including Escherichia coli, were not detected in any sample. [Summary provided by the USGS.]

Purpose:

Not Available

Supplemental_Information:

Not Available

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -76.0

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -73.0

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 44.0

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.0

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD SCIENCE PARAMETERS

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ANCILLARY KEYWORDS

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: DATA SET LANGUAGE

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > GROUND WATER

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > ACID DEPOSITION

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > ALKALINITY

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > BENTHIC INDEX

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CARBON DIOXIDE

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CARCINOGENS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CHLOROPHYLL

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CONDUCTIVITY

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > CONTAMINANTS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > DISSOLVED GASES

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > DISSOLVED SOLIDS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > HYDROCARBONS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > INORGANIC MATTER

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > LIGHT TRANSMISSION

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > NITROGEN COMPOUNDS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > NUTRIENTS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > ORGANIC MATTER

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > OXYGEN

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > PH

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > PHOSPHOROUS COMPOUNDS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > RADIOISOTOPES

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > STABLE ISOTOPES

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > SUSPENDED SOLIDS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > TOXIC CHEMICALS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > TRACE METALS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > TURBIDITY

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > WATER TEMPERATURE

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > WATER ION CONCENTRATION

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > WATER TRACE ELEMENTS

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE > WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY > WATER POTABILITY

Theme_Keyword: Ofr

Theme_Keyword: Open File Report

Theme_Keyword: Ground Water

Theme_Keyword: Water Quality

Theme_Keyword: Water Samples

Theme_Keyword: ENGLISH

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD

Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > NEW YORK

Access_Constraints: Not Available

Use_Constraints:

Not Available

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: ELIZABETH A. NYSTROM

Contact_Position: INVESTIGATOR

Contact_Position: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: US Geological Survey

Address: New York Water Science Center

Address: 425 Jordan Road

City: Troy

State_or_Province: NY

Postal_Code: 12180-8349

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 518-285-5634

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 518-285-5601

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nstrom@usgs.gov

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Not Available

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Not Available

Completeness_Report:

Not Available

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Not Available

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: DOI/USGS/NYWSC > New York Water Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

Contact_Person: NEW YORK WATER SCIENCE CENTER

Contact_Position: DATA CENTER CONTACT

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 425 Jordan Road

City: Troy

State_or_Province: NY

Postal_Code: 12180

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (518)285-5600

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: dc_ny@usgs.gov

Resource_Description: USGS_OFR_2008_1086

Distribution_Liability:

Not Available

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: Not Available

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:

http://ny.water.usgs.gov/

Access_Instructions:

DATA CENTER URL

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1086/pdf/ofr2008-1086...

Access_Instructions:

Get report on Ground-Water Quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006.

Fees: Not Available

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20080325

Metadata_Review_Date: 20080325

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: GCMD User Support Office

Contact_Organization: NASA Global Change Master Directory

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: Not Available

City: Lanham

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20706

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: Not Available

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gcmduso@gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time