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W.J. Flipse

Publications and source records attributed to W.J. Flipse.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2006

Sources of nitrate in ground water in a sewered housing development, Central Long Island, New York

Nitrate concentrations in ground water on Long Island, New York, have increased markedly in the last 30 years. A significant amount of this increase has been attributed to lawn and garden fertilizers in addition to cesspool and septic-tank discharges. The increase in nitrate concentration is of particular concern in the central and eastern part of the island, where ground water is the sole source of drinking water. Ground-water samples were collected from 14 wells screened near the water table in the sewered Twelve Pines housing development constructed in Medford, Suffolk County, in 1970. Samples were collected during 1972–79 and analyzed for total ammonium, organic nitrogen, and nitrate. Statistical analyses indicate that concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in water from 10 of the wells increased significantly during 1972–79; those in water from the other four wells did not. Nitrogen loads were estimated to be 2,300 kg/yr from fertilizers, less than 80 kg/yr from irrigation water, 200 kg/yr from animals, and less than 670 kg/yr from precipitation. Leakage from sewers was considered negligible. Nitrate-nitrogen isotope ratios also suggest that the greatest source of nitrogen is from cultivation sources (either mineralized soil nitrogen or fertilizers) rather than human or animal wastes.

Groundwater↗
USGS2006

Nitrogen-isotope ratios of nitrate in ground water under fertilized fields, Long Island, New York

Ground-water samples from two heavily fertilized sites in Suffolk County, New York, were collected through the 1978 growing season and analyzed for nitrate-N concentrations and nitrogen-isotope ratios. Six wells were at a potato farm; six were on a golf course. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the 15 N/ 14 N ratios (δ 15 N values) of fertilizer are increased during transit from land surface to ground water to an extent which would preclude use of this ratio to distinguish agricultural from animal sources of nitrate in ground water.

Groundwater↗
USGS1989

Relation between land use and ground-water quality in the upper glacial aquifer in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Long Island, New York

The chemical quality of groundwater in the upper glacial (water-table) aquifer beneath the 10 types of land-use areas of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY was examined to evaluate the effect of human activities on groundwater. The highest median chloride and total dissolved-solids concentrations were found in wells in high-density residential areas (more than five dwellings/acre), and the highest median nitrate, sulfate, and calcium concentrations were found in wells in agricultural and high density residential areas. Relatively low median concentrations of inorganic chemical constituents were found in wells in undeveloped and low-density residential areas (1 or fewer/acre): volatile organic compounds were rarely detected in these same areas. The highest concentrations and most frequent detection of volatile organic compounds were in industrial and commercial areas. The most commonly detected volatile organic compounds were 1,1,1-trichloroethane (24% of wells), tetrachloroethylene (20%), trichloroethylene (18%), chloroform (9%), and 1,2-dichloroethylene (5%). The spatial distributions of trichloroethylene, chloroform and other volatile organic compounds in the upper glacial aquifer are directly correlated with population density in the two-county area. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1976

Change in methylene blue active substances and chloride levels in streams in Suffolk County, New York, 1961-1976

Since 1961, concentrations of methylene blue active substances and chloride were measured in samples collected at 67 sampling stations on 44 streams in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Changes in the concentrations of these constituents and calculated chloride/methylene blue active substances ratios are reported. Although many factors--the 1962 to 1966 drought, urbanization, change in detergent formulation, and the 1971 Suffolk County detergent ban--make specific interpretation of the data difficult, it appears that the quality of water in streams and, consequently, that part of the upper glacial aquifer supplying water to the streams, is improving in terms of the concentration of methylene blue active substances.

New York↗