RECONNAISSANCE OF VOLATILE ORGANIC 

COMPOUNDS IN THE SUBSURFACE AT 

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, BUSCH CAMPUS, 

PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY

By Vincent T. dePaul

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Open-File Report 95-729

Prepared in cooperation with

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY

West Trenton, New Jersey 

1996
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BRUCE BABBITT, Secretory

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Gordon P. Eaton, Director

For additional information 

write to:

District Chief 

U.S Geological Survey 

Mountain View Office Park 

810 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 206 

West Trenton, NJ 08628

Copies of this report can be 

obtained from:

U.S Geological Survey

Earth Science Information Center

Open-File Reports Section

Box 25286, MS 517

Denver Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225
CONTENTS

Page

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and scope............................................................................................................................2

Previous investigations.....................................................................................................................2

Well-numbering system.................................................................................................................... 2

Acknowledgments...........................................................................................................................^

Description of study area...............................................................................................................................2

Physiography and geology................................................................................................................2

Hydrogeologic setting....................................................................................................................... 5

Methods of investigation............................................................................................................................... 5

Electromagnetic survey ....................................................................................................................6

Electrical-resistivity survey ..............................................................................................................8

Collection of soil-gas samples.......................................................................................................... 8

Installation of piezometers.............................................................................................................. 12

Measurement of water levels..........................................................................................................12

Collection and analysis of ground-water samples.......................................................................... 12

Results of reconnaissance of volatile organic compounds in the subsurface.............................................. 14

Electrical resistivity........................................................................................................................15

Distribution of soil gases................................................................................................................ 15

Ground-water levels .......................................................................................................................15

Ground-water quality......................................................................................................................18

Summary and conclusions...........................................................................................................................22

References cited...................................................................................................... ..................................24

Appendix 1- Maximum contaminant levels for selected organic compounds and inorganic constituents, 

New Jersey...........................................................................................................................................26

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Figures 1-5. Maps showing:

1. Location of the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway Township,

New Jersey, and physiographic provinces..............................................................3

2. Geology at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway Township,

New Jersey, and vicinity.........................................................................................4

3. Distribution of apparent-conductivity values, the Rutgers University,

Busch Campus, New Jersey, June 1991 .................................................................7

4. Locations of azimuthal resistivity measuring stations, the Rutgers

University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, January 1992..........................................9

5. Distribution of vapor probes and approximate extent of measured soil-gas plume 

in the vicinity of the Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing, the Rutgers 

University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1991..................................................... 10

6. Schematic diagram showing soil-gas-sampling configuration.......................................... 11

7-9. Maps showing:

7. Locations of wells and piezometers, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus,

New Jersey ...........................................................................................................13

in
ILLUSTRATIONS-Continued

Page

7-9. Maps showing: Continued

8. (A) Rose diagram showing preferred orientation of major joint sets at and near the 

Rutgers University, Busch Campus; and (B) Azimuthal resistivity plots for two 

sites at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, January 1992............................. 16

9. Water levels in the shallow aquifer at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus,

New Jersey, November 1992................................................................................ 19

TABLES

Table 1. Results of soil-gas analyses for selected volatile organic compounds in the vicinity of the 

Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New 

Jersey, 1991........................................................................................................................... 17

2. Water levels in selected wells at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey,

1991-92.................................................................................................................................20

3. Chemical and physical properties of, and selected chemical constituents in, ground-water

samples, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1992...................................21

4. Concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds in ground-water samples, the Rutgers 

University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1992.....................................................................22

IV
CONVERSION FACTORS, VERTICAL DATUM, AND 

WATER-QUALITY ABBREVIATIONS

Multiply To obtain

inch (in.) 

foot (ft) 

mile (mi)

square mile (mi2)

gallon (gal)

gallon per minute (gal/min)

degree Fahrenheit (°F)

25.4

0.3048

1.609

Area

2.590 

Volume 

3.785 

Flow

0.06308 

Temperature 

= 5/9x(°F-32)

millimeter

meter

kilometer

square kilometer

liter

liter per second

degree Celsius (°C)

Sea level: In this report "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 a 

geodetic datum derived from a eeneral adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United 

States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Water-quality abbreviations:

mL - milliliter

mg/L - milligrams per liter

Hg/L - micrograms per liter

uS/cm - microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius

VOC - volatile organic compound

Other symbols or abbreviations:

ohm-meter - a unit of electrical resistivity 

mS/m - millisiemens per meter
RECONNAISSANCE OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN THE

SUBSURFACE AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, BUSCH CAMPUS,

PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY

by Vincent dePaul 

ABSTRACT

During 1991-92, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a hydrogeologic reconnaissance at a site 

near the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing. Results of analyses 

of the soil-gas samples, which were collected at 43 locations, indicated the presence of volatile organic 

compounds, primarily carbon tetrachloride, near the C-Wing building and about 550 feet downgradient 

from and southwest of the C-Wing building. Concentrations of the compound in soil-gas samples were 

highest (2. 1 ng/L (micrograms per liter)) along the southwestern wall of the C-Wing building.

Ground-water samples were collected at depths as great as 55 feet from five wells and piezometers 

near the C-Wing building. Samples collected along the southwestern wall of the building also contained 

the highest concentrations of volatile organic compounds. Concentrations of carbon tetrachloride in the 

ground-water samples ranged from < 0.35 ng/L to 3,400 ng/L, and concentrations of tetrachloroethylene 

ranged from < 0.28 ng/L to 85 ng/L. Ground-water samples collected at depths of 55 feet or more from 

two wells located on the Rutgers University Golf Course about 2,400 feet downgradient from the C-Wing 

building contained concentrations of tetrachloroethylene as great as 17.7 ng/L. Water levels measured in 

six wells and six piezometers indicated that the general flow direction in the shallow part of the aquifer is 

to the southwest of the C-Wing building.

An electrical-resistivity survey was conducted by azimuthal resistivity techniques. The results of 

the survey were consistent with field measurements, and the dominant vertical fractures near the Busch 

Campus trend northeast. An electromagnetic survey was ineffective as a result of cultural interferences and 

could not be used to determine the hydrogeologic characteristics of the site.

INTRODUCTION

In 1988, during a renovation in the basement of the Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing (hereafter called the C-Wing building), at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, volatile organic compounds 

(VOC's) were detected in excavated soils surrounding a former laboratory. Concentrations of total VOC's 

as great as 125,000 \\%fL subsequently were detected in ground-water samples collected near the C-Wing 

building (ENSR Consulting and Engineering, 1989). The contamination may have originated in the basement of the C-Wing building from a damaged sump piping system located within the shallow aquifer 

(ENSR Consulting and Engineering, 1989). This piping system served as a drain for acid wastes and 

organic solvents used in the C-Wing building. The major compounds identified in the ground-water samples were carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and chloroform. The C-Wing building overlies 

a water-supply aquifer, the Passaic Formation, and is about 2,500 ft upgradient from several domestic 

wells. In 1991, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Rutgers, the State University of 

New Jersey, began an investigation of the extent of contamination in the vicinity of the building. The study 

consisted of two phases an initial reconnaissance of contamination in the unsaturated zone and shallow 

ground water near the C-Wing building, and observation-well drilling and ground-water-quality monitoring. This report describes the initial phase of the study, which was conducted during 1991-92.
Purpose and Scope

This report describes the results of a subsurface reconnaissance at a site near the C-Wing building 

at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, to determine hydrogeologic conditions and the distribution of 

VOC's in the shallow subsurface. It includes results of a surface geophysical survey and of a qualitative 

investigation of soil gases. Water levels in 12 wells and piezometers and water-quality data for groundwater samples from 10 wells and piezometers within the study area also are included.

Previous Investigations

The Rutgers University, Busch Campus, overlies a water-supply aquifer, the Passaic Formation. 

Several regional studies of the geology and hydrology of the Passaic Formation have been conducted. 

Herpers and Barksdale (1951) reported on the ground-water resources of the Newark, New Jersey, area. 

Nemickas (1976) reported on the geology and hydrology of the Passaic Formation (formerly known as the 

Brunswick Formation) in Union County, New Jersey. Vecchioli (1967) described the results of an aquifer 

test near Flemington, New Jersey. Michalski and Gerber (1992) discussed flow velocities in the formation 

at a site in Piscataway Township, New Jersey. ENSR Consulting and Engineering (1989; 1990) reported 

the results of a preliminary ground-water investigation, which included geological coring; installation of 

observation wells near the C-Wing building; and ground-water sampling and analysis.

Well~N umbering System

The well-numbering system used in this report has been used by the USGS, New Jersey District, 

since 1978. The well number is a six-digit number, of which the first two digits are the county code. The 

last four digits in the number indicate the sequence in which that well was inventoried in that county. For 

example, well number 23-1165 is the 1,165th well inventoried in Middlesex County.

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges Rutgers University personnel for their assistance and cooperation during this initial phase of study, particularly Martin Costello and Michael Quinlan of the Rutgers 

Environmental Health and Safety Department.

The study area comprises 0.23 mi2 within the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, in Piscataway 

Township, northwestern Middlesex County, New Jersey (fig. 1). The physiography, geology, and hydrogeologic setting are described below.

Physiography and Geology

The Busch Campus lies within the Piedmont Physiographic Province, which in New Jersey coincides with the Newark Basin. The Newark Basin is one in a series of fault-block basins formed during initial continental rifling during the Triassic Period and is the largest of these Triassic rift valleys that extend 

for nearly 1,000 mi from Nova Scotia to North Carolina (Van Houten, 1969). The Newark Basin consists 

of a thick series of red shales, interbedded sandstones, argillites, and intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks 

of Triassic and Jurassic age. The Passaic Formation, the thickest unit of the Newark Group, forms the bedrock at the Busch Campus (fig. 2). In this area, the formation is estimated to have a maximum thickness of 

about 7,800 ft (Houghton, 1990).
40°31'30"

40°3V

0 10 20 MILES 

0 10 20 KILOMETERS

I____________I

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 MILE

lil I I

I ' I I I

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 KILOMETER

Base from Rutgers University; Modified from Aerial 

Data Reduction Associates, 1:600,1988; Aerial 

photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March 1985.

Figure 1. Location of the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway Township, New Jersey, and 

physiographic provinces.
74°30' 74°28' 74°26'

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital 

data, 1:100,000,1983, Universal Transverse 

Mercator projection, Zone 18

Geology modified from Lyttle and 

Epstein, 1987, and Parker, 1993

JTrp 

Trpl

y

EXPLANATION 

Passaic Formation (Late Triassic and Early Jurassic)

Unnamed gray and black lacustrine beds of the Passaic 

Formation (Late Triassic)

Strike and dip of beds

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 MILE

I . i i i

I ' i i T

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 KILOMETER

Figure 2. Geology at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, Piscataway Township, 

New Jersey and vicinity.
The Passaic Formation consists primarily of a nonmarine, reddish-brown mudstone interbedded 

with shale, siltstone, and sandstone. In the upper part of the formation, highly fractured mudstone is the 

predominant lithology (Houghton, 1990). The formation generally strikes northeast-southwest and dips 

slightly to the northwest. Two sets of near-vertical joints are present. The primary, more well-developed 

joint set trends nearly parallel to the strike of the bedding planes; a secondary joint set is oriented approximately perpendicular to the primary set. Other less well-developed joint patterns also are common. Depth 

to the top of competent bedrock in the area is generally less than 20 ft. Above the bedrock is a zone of 

highly fractured and weathered mudstone. Where the land surface is relatively undisturbed, soils that overlie the weathered zone are 1 to 2 ft thick. These soils generally are a reddish-brown shaly loam (U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1987).

Hydropcologic Setting

The Passaic Formation is a major source of ground water in one of the most densely populated 

regions of New Jersey. The unfractured bedrock of the Passaic Formation has little primary porosity or 

permeability as a result of compaction and cementation; therefore, its ability to store and transmit water is 

negligible. The principal means of ground-water movement in the unweathered zone of the formation is 

through a complex, interconnected network of bedding-plane partings, fractures, and joints. The ability of 

these secondary openings to transmit water is a function of their size and density and, with increasing 

depth, these fractures become limited in size and number. In general, the formation has little water-bearing 

capacity below a depth of 500 ft.

Ground water in the Passaic Formation is present under unconfined and confined or semi-confined 

conditions. Shallow ground water is typically unconfined because of a zone of highly weathered and broken bedrock near land surface (Houghton, 1990), and ground-water flow is influenced by the topography 

of the land surface. Confined and semiconfined conditions are present in the deeper part of the groundwater system because of overlying beds that have low permeability. Shallow ground water typically discharges to local streams, whereas water from deeper zones generally moves toward regional discharge 

points, such as the Raritan River (fig.l).

Several studies of the Passaic Formation indicate that ground water moves primarily through 

extensively fractured layers of rock that are parallel to the strike. The water-bearing openings can be fairly 

continuous in the strike direction; in the dip direction, they may pinch out or be absent at depth. Vecchioli 

(1967), in describing aquifer tests at sites in Flemington and New Brunswick, New Jersey, reported that 

wells aligned along the strike in relation to a pumped well showed greater drawdown than those aligned in 

other positions. Herpers and Barksdale (1951) and Vecchioli and others (1969) observed similar anisotropy 

in the Passaic Formation.

METHODS OF INVESTIGATION

Field measurements of strike, dip, and joint orientation of bedrock, along with surface geophysical 

techniques, were used to define the general hydrogeologic framework in the study area. Electromagnetic 

(EM) and electrical-resistivity surveys were conducted at the site to map the subsurface structure and 

possible flowpaths of shallow ground water. A qualitative survey of soil gases was used to verify the presence of VOC's in the unsaturated zone and to estimate their areal distribution in the shallow aquifer. Six 

boreholes were drilled and completed as piezometers for the purpose of measuring water levels. Water 

samples were collected from observation wells, piezometers, and an irrigation well within the study area 

and were analyzed for VOC's and selected inorganic compounds.
Electromagnetic Survey

In July 1991, USGS personnel conducted an EM survey in an area southwest of the C-Wing building (fig. 3). The EM method is a surface geophysical technique that detects variations in the electrical conductivity of the subsurface. These variations result from differences in the soil or rock type, porosity, and 

the conductivity of ground water in pore spaces (Benson, 1991). The EM technique can be used in groundwater investigations to map ionic contaminant plumes because the electrical conductivity of the ground 

water typically increases with increased ionic concentrations. The EM method also can be used to map 

changes in the geology to indicate permeable pathways (such as highly fractured zones) through which 

ground water may move (Benson, 1991).

The EM instrument consists of two antennas, one of which is a transmitter and the other of which 

is a receiver. An alternating current is applied to the transmitting antenna, and a primary EM field perpendicular to the plane of the antenna is passed into the ground. The primary EM field causes a flow of electric 

current that is proportional to the conductivity of the earth materials and ground water. The electric current 

induces a secondary EM field in the subsurface, which is detected at the receiving antenna. Variations in 

the secondary field are perceived as anomalies that, in turn, can be interpreted as changes in the subsurface 

geology, the moisture content of the rock or soil, or the quality of the ground water.

The EM survey was conducted by using a Geonics 1 EM-31 Non- Contacting Terrain Conductivity 

meter. Field data were collected at 131 stations on a grid pattern with 50-ft spacings. The grid was oriented 

so that the rows and columns were aligned approximately along the strike and dip of the bedrock. Measurements were made with the instrument in the horizontal dipole position and with an intercoil spacing of 

12 ft. Readings were taken at each station in directions feeing both parallel and perpendicular to the strike 

in an effort to recognize false readings resulting from cultural interference. Locations of measuring stations 

and the distribution of apparent conductivities are shown in figure 3.

The apparent- conductivity values measured on the golf course were higher than those measured 

on the adjacent playing field. The higher values were attributed to the higher moisture content of the soil 

due to seasonal irrigation. Apparent conductivity readings greater than 67 mS/m (denoted by a 0 in figure 

3) measured on the golf course coincided with the location of an underground pipe; these readings are 

attributed to metallic interference. Overhead power lines located between the golf course and playing field 

also could increase the conductivity readings in the area. Other factors that affected the EM-survey results 

include buried electrical lines along Frelinghuysen Road and automobiles in a parking lot near the playing 

field. When these interferences are considered, no obvious anomalies were evident in the remaining data 

set obtained from the survey. No meaningful interpretations concerning the hydrogeologic characteristics 

of, or water quality in, the area could be made.

1 Use of trade names is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by 

the U.S.Geological Survey.
Chemical

Engineering

C-Wing

RUTGERS WIVERSITY 

GOLF CC URSE

Base from Rutgers University, Modified from Aerial 

Data Reduction Associates, 1:600,1988, Aerial 

photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March 1985.

EXPLANATION

 45-

iooLine of equal apparent conductivity-Interval, in 

millisiemens per meter is variable

Topographic contour-Shows altitude of land surface. 

Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is sea level

Measuring station-Number is apparent conductivity 

in millisiemens per meter. A zero denotes interference 

from buried pipe

Figure 3. Distribution of apparent-conductivity values, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, 

New Jersey, June 1991.
Electrical- Resistivity Survey

On January 16, 1992, an azimuthal resistivity survey was conducted at two sites southwest of the 

C-Wing building (fig. 4). The purpose of the survey was to determine the trend of the major joint sets in the 

study area. The azimuthal resistivity method is a surface geophysical technique that employs the basic 

principles of electrical resistivity. Electric current is introduced into the ground by two electrodes and the 

potential difference is measured between a second pair of electrodes. Resistivity is calculated on the basis 

of the array of the electrodes by using the current and potential difference measurements (Zohdy and 

others, 1974). Resistivity data were collected by using a Schlmnberger array in which the distance between 

the current electrodes was 30 m (98.4 ft) and the distance between the two potential electrodes was 6 m 

(19.7 ft). The center point of the array was held constant as the array was rotated at 30° intervals from 

0°(North) to 360°. Readings were recorded at each 30° interval for each array.

Collection of Soil-Gas

From October through December 1991, a soil-gas survey was conducted to determine the areal 

extent of VOC's in the vicinity of the C-Wing building. The presence of VOC's in soil vapors is indicative 

of their presence in the unsaturated zone or in the shallow ground water. Soil-gas analysis is most effective 

in detecting halogenated chemical solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons that have high vapor pressures, 

high gas/liquid partition coefficients, and low solubilities in water (Ballestero and others, 1991). These 

compounds readily evaporate from the ground water, migrate through the soil to land surface, and eventually dissipate in the atmosphere. Because the primary VOC of interest in this investigation, carbon tetrachloride, is suitable to soil-gas detection, this method was chosen as a cost-effective technique for 

estimating the presence of contaminants in the shallow ground water.

The sampling network, consisting of 43 vapor probes, was designed and installed to surround the 

suspected contamination source and continue downgradient along the most probable path of shallowground-water flow (fig. 5). The irregular pattern of the probe network, however, was a function of the 

urban nature of the site. Sidewalks, concrete courtyards, manhole covers, and shallow pipe and electrical 

lines prohibited an evenly spaced grid. The locations of the vapor probes were mapped by measuring with 

an engineer's tape the distance from existing, mapped structures such as buildings, and from other points 

of known location, such as observation wells, to the vapor probes.

Soil-gas samples were collected from the unsaturated zone by using probes constructed of 4.5-millimeter (0.18 in.) inside-diameter (i.d.) stainless-steel tubes cut in 5-ft lengths. The bottom 3 in. of each 

probe was slotted. The probes were installed by using a slam bar to drive a 0.5-in.-diameter hole. Vapor 

probes were set to depths from 3 to 4 ft below land surface, depending upon local conditions, such as depth 

to bedrock. After the probes were inserted into the hole, a fine-grained sand was poured in to surround the 

slotted part of the probe. Granular bentonite then was added above the sand to land surface to seal the 

annular space between the probe and the hole. Above land surface, Swagelok tube fittings and caps were 

fitted to the probes to ensure a gas-tight seal.
Chemical 

/ En|ineeijing 

/ C-Wing u| u

RUTGERS UN IVERSITY 

GOLFCCURSE

Base from Rutgers University. Modified from Aerial 

Data Reduction Associates. 1:600,19B8, Aerial 

photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March 1985.

EXPLANATION

100- Topographic contour-Shows altitude of land surface. 

Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is sea level

( j Location of azimuthal resistivity survey

Figure 4. Locations off azimuthal resistivity measuring stations, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, 

New Jersey, January 1992.
Eng ineering

° Engineering ' I /' r-i

i n v-2 v-ip

V-|3^^f*^'3 Ov.

Vapor-probe location and identification 

V_31 number; carbon tetrachloride concentration 

* equal to or greater than 0.010 microgram 

per liter

Vapor-probe location and identification 

ov~ 14 number; carbon tetrachloride concentration 

less than 0.010 microgram per liter

Base from Rutgers University.Modified from Aerial Data Reduction Associates, 1:600,1988, Aerial 

photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March 1985.

Figure 5. Distribution of vapor probes and approximate extent of measured soil-gas plume in the vicinity of the 

Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1991.
The soil-gas samples were collected in 125-mL glass sampling bulbs with Teflon stopcocks at both 

ends. The sampling bulb was connected to the vapor probe with a small section of silicone tubing such that 

only the bulb itself was in contact with the probe. The other end of the bulb was fitted with 0.19-in.-i.d. silicone hose leading to a peristaltic pump. Gas flow through the bulb then was induced at a rate of about 300 

mL per minute. Flow rate was monitored during purging and sampling by the use of a bubble meter 

attached to the effluent end of the silicone hose. After 1,000 mL of soil gas had been purged through the 

bulb, the sample was collected by first closing the effluent stopcock and, 15 seconds later, the influent stopcock. This allowed the pressure inside the bulb to equalize with atmospheric pressure. A schematic diagram of the soil-gas-sampling configuration is shown in figure 6.

Following the collection of each soil-gas sample, each bulb was injected by syringe with a field 

surrogate (gaseous bromochloromethane) through its septum port for the purpose of monitoring sample 

loss during transportation. The bulbs were transported to the laboratory, where the samples were analyzed 

within 10 hours of collection. Replicate samples also were collected, and bulb and trip blanks were 

included with each set of samples to assure quality control.

Silicone tubing

C

Glass gassampling bulb

Land surface

 - Stainless-steel 

vapor probe Vs

Screen NOT TO SCALE

Figure 6. Soil-gas-sampling configuration. (Modified from Kammer and Smith, 1989)

11
Soil-gas samples were analyzed at the USGS, New Jersey District, laboratory for carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, and benzene by purge-and-trap gas chromatography. The gas-sampling bulbs 

were directly attached to a modified purge-and-trap concentrator. Samples were purged with helium from 

the glass bulb onto an adsorbent trap. The contaminants were subsequently desorbed from the trap onto a 

capillary column where the chromatographic separations were made. A Tracer 540 gas chromatograph, 

configured in series with a Hall electrolytic conductivity detector and a photoionization detector, was used 

for the analyses. Compound retention times were compared against those of standards analyzed under the 

same conditions, and the compounds were identified.

The stability of soil-gas samples containing VOC's decreases with holding time (Rammer and 

Smith, 1989); therefore, interpretation of the chromatograms is semiquantitative. Recovery values for the 

field surrogate ranged from 30 to 100 percent as a result of transportation time and laboratory holding time. 

The use of an on-site portable gas chromatograph was not feasible, however, because the concentrations of 

the compounds in the soil vapors were low (< 2. 1 ng/L). The large sample volume used in this method 

resulted in a lower analytical detection limit of 0.01

Installation of Piezometers

Six temporary piezometers, 23-1 187 through 23-1 192, were installed near the C-Wing building 

and on the Rutgers University Golf Course for the purpose of measuring water levels (fig. 7). The 3-in.- 

diameter boreholes were constructed by using a portable auger with solid-stem auger flights and a 3-in.- 

diameter rock bit. The shallow boreholes ranged in depth from 4 to 1 6 ft below land surface. The boreholes 

were advanced 3 ft beyond the water table, where possible, or until refusal in bedrock. No water was 

encountered in the overburden soil material during drilling. After removal of the auger string, a well screen 

and casing were set. The temporary piezometers were constructed of 0.5 or 0.75-in.-i.d. polyvinylchloride 

(PVC) riser pipe and 10-slot PVC screen. A gravel pack of uniform sand was tunneled down the borehole 

from the bottom up to a depth of 2 to 3 ft above the top of the screen. Bentonite pellets were added above 

the sand, and a bentonite slurry was poured into the annulus to prevent surface leakage. After each borehole was completed, the rock bit was removed from the lead auger and was decontaminated by scrubbing 

with a solution of laboratory soap and deionized water, rinsing with deionized water, rinsing with methanol 

and air drying, and finally rinsing with deionized water. Fresh, uncontaminated auger flights were used in 

each subsequent borehole. Borehole 23-1 185 was completed by using a 4-in. -diameter hand auger because 

of its proximity to a concrete wall and the looseness of the fill soil at that site. The screen and casing were 

set as described above.

Measurement of Water Levels

Water levels in the piezometers and previously installed observation wells at the site were measured during site visits. All water levels were measured manually with a steel tape that was decontaminated at each well site. All measuring-point altitudes were surveyed to the closest one-hundredth of a foot. 

Locations of wells and piezometers are shown in figure 7.

Collection ancf A fifths'8 of Ground-Water Sample;?

Ground-water samples collected from the four observation wells during April 1992 were analyzed 

for dissolved cations, anions, nutrients, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and VOC's. Depths of wells 

sampled ranged from 27 ft to 200 ft below land surface. Wells were purged by pumping three casing volumes of water when possible, and field characteristics, such as temperature, pH, specific conductance, and 

dissolved-oxygen concentration, were allowed to stabilize to ensure that the sample was representative of

12
74°28'10" 74°28' 74°27'50' 74027'40'

RUTGERS-tfNIVERSITY 

GOLF COURS

Base from Rutgers University, Modified from Aerial Data Reduction Associates, 1:600,1988, Aerial photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March, 1985.

0 100 200 300 400 FEET

i I I I I

 90-

EXPLANATION

Topographic contour-Shows altitude of land surface. X 23-1184 Observation well and identification number 

Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is sea level

* 23-1191 Piezometer and identification number

T 

100 METERS

Stream 

Culvert 

Bridge

23-1053 irrigation well and identification number

Figure 7. Locations of wells and piezometers, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey.
the aquifer water. Well purging was accomplished by using either a stainless-steel submersible pump or a 

peristaltic pump. Samples to be analyzed for inorganic constituents were collected with the peristaltic 

pump or by using a Teflon bailer lowered on Teflon-coated stainless-steel wire. All samples to be analyzed 

for organic constituents were collected with a Teflon bailer. Well 23-1183, the deepest well adjacent to the 

C-Wing building, was purged with a submersible pump that had become permanently lodged in the lower 

part of the screened interval during a previous investigation. After evacuating the casing down to the 

screened interval three times and allowing the water level to recover, all samples were collected with a 

Teflon bailer. All samples were preserved in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection specifications (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1980) and were prepared for shipment

The wells were sampled in order of suspected increasing concentrations of VOC's to minimize 

cross-contamination. All sampling equipment was decontaminated at the USGS, New Jersey District, laboratory prior to use. Submersible pumps used for well-casing evacuation were field-decontaminated 

between use at each site. At sites known to have significant levels of contamination, purge and equipmentcleaning water was pumped directly into 55-gallon drums for proper disposal.

Samples collected from the irrigation well located on the Rutgers University Golf Course (well 23- 

1053) were analyzed for VOC's only. Because this well is a flowing artesian well and discharges about 10 

gal/min of water, it was not necessary to engage the pump to evacuate standing water. After stabilization of 

field characteristics, samples were drawn through a Teflon tube connected to a sampling spigot near the 

wellhead. Samples from five temporary piezometers, 23-1187 to 23-1191, were collected and analyzed for 

VOC's only. Because the diameters of the piezometers are small (< 0.75 in.), samples were withdrawn 

through fresh polyethylene tubing attached to a peristaltic pump at land surface. Piezometers typically 

were pumped dry twice before samples were collected. Because of the pressure gradient placed on the 

sample with this method, however, significant losses of VOC's can occur (Imbrigiotta and others, 1988); 

therefore, water-quality data from these sites can be interpreted qualitatively only. Because these samples 

were intended for reconnaissance purposes only, the results obtained were considered to be satisfactory.

Ground-water samples were analyzed by Accutest of Dayton, New Jersey, a NJDEP-certified laboratory. Duplicate samples for VOC's were analyzed at the USGS, New Jersey District, laboratory. Samples from the irrigation well (well 23-1053) and from piezometers also were analyzed for VOC's at the 

USGS, New Jersey District, laboratory.

RESULTS OF RECONNAISSANCE OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

IN THE SUBSURFACE

Geologic maps that include the Rutgers University, Busch Campus (Parker, 1993), show the strike 

of the bedrock in the area to be about N. 59° E. This value is similar to those measured during this study. 

Several exposed outcrops of bedrock on and near the campus were measured for strike and dip of bedding 

planes and for joint orientation. Because the strike of the bedding planes varies locally, an average of 

N. 57° E. was used for the purpose of this study. The dip of the strata is typically 11° to the northwest. 

Additional observations at the outcrops show two major patterns of near-vertical joints with axes trending 

northeast and northwest.

14
Electrical Resistivity

Measurements recorded during the azimuthal resistivity survey at the two stations southwest of the 

C-Wing building indicated a resistivity low or, conversely, a conductivity high when the array was set in a 

northeast-southwest alignment. The long axes of the resistivity plots, oriented to the northwest, correspond 

to materials that are more resistant and, therefore, less conductive. These measurements correlated with 

mapped joint patterns at outcrops near the site, indicating a dominant joint set trending northeastsouthwest subparallel to the strike of bedding that could affect ground-water flow (tig. 8).

Distribution of Soil Gases

Results of analyses of the soil-gas samples indicate that carbon tetrachloride is the dominant compound in the unsaturated zone near the C-Wing building. Carbon tetrachloride was present in samples from 

17 of the 43 vapor probes; tetrachloroethylene was present in samples from 4 sites (table 1). Trichlorofluoromethane was tentatively identified in samples at several sites; however, because a standard of this compound was not run prior to analysis, positive identification could not be made. Benzene, used in C-Wing 

laboratory operations from 1963 to 1979 (David Kosson, Rutgers University, written commun., 1991), was 

not detected in any of the samples. This could be attributed to benzene's susceptibility to biodegradation.

Those sites at which detectable quantities of carbon tetrachloride were identified are near the CWing building and to about 550 ft to the southwest (fig. 5). Disturbances in the shallow subsurface, such as 

building basements, ramps, and underground utilities, could affect shallow ground-water flow as well as 

the dispersal of contaminants. The highest concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (2.1 and 1.2 ng/L) were 

present in samples collected along the southwestern wall of the C-Wing building near the wells from 

which water contained high concentrations of carbon tetrachloride. The accuracy of the detection of soil 

gases is limited, however. Limitations include soil-moisture variability (Ballestero and others, 1991) and 

depth to the surface of the shallow ground water. Within the soil-gas-survey network, depth to ground 

water ranged from about 12 ft below land surface near the C-Wing building to about 5 ft below land surface near Frelinghuysen Road. Therefore, concentrations of VOC's measured in the soil gas may not 

always be proportional to concentrations that are present in the ground water, and the dispersal of contaminants in the ground water may not conform to the soil-gas plume.

Ground-Water Levels

Ground-water levels were measured in six wells and six piezometers in the study area during 

1991-92 (table 2). Altitudes of water levels measured on October 22, 1991, in shallow wells near the CWing building ranged from 91.11 to 98.24 ft above sea level. Because of the difference in water levels 

between wells of similar construction, wells 23-1184 and 23-1185, it was suspected that the screen of well 

23-1185 could be partially sealed. Subsequent water-level measurements produced the same discrepancy 

in water-level altitude and the water-level data from that well therefore are suspect. Because well 23-1183 

is screened in a deeper water-bearing zone, the water level in this well, 70.79 ft, is considerably lower than 

those in the adjacent shallow wells. This indicates that this deeper zone probably is not well-connected to 

the shallow aquifer. Water levels, measured on November 23, 1992 in the observation wells and piezometers open to the shallow system, indicate that ground-water flow in this part of the system is generally to 

the southwest of the C-Wing building along the topographic gradient (fig. 9). Discharge in the shallow 

zone is probably to an unnamed creek on the Rutgers University Golf Course.

15
A.

29 Measurements

B.

Sitel

Figure 8. (A) Rose diagram showing preferred orientation of major joint sets at and near the Rutgers 

University, Busch Campus. (B) Azimuthal resistivity plots for two sites at the Rutgers University, 

Busch Campus, January 1992.

16
Table 1 . Results of soil-gas analyses for selected volatile organic compounds in the vicinity of the Chemical Engineering 

Building, C-Wing, the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1991

[All concentrations are in ng/L (micrograms per liter); ND, concentration is less than minimum detection limit of 0.010 

jig/L; -not determined as a result of analytical interference from unidentified compound]

Siteidentification 

number

V-l

V-2

V-3

V-6

V-7

V-7

V-8

V-9

V-10

V-10

V-ll

V-12

V-13

V-14

V-15

V-16

V-17

V-17

V-19

V-20

V-21

V-23

V-24

V-24

V-25

V-25

V-26

V-27

V-27

V-28

V-29

V-30

V-31

V-32

V-33

V-35

V-36

V-38

V-39

V-40

V-41

V-42

V-43

V-44

V-45

V-45

V-46

V-47

V-48

V-49

Sampling 

date

10/28/91

10/28/91

10/29/91

10/28/91

10/28/91

10/28/91

10/30/91

10/28/91

10/29/91

10/29/91

10/29/91

10/30/91

10/29/91

10/31/91

10/31/91

10/31/91

11/20/91

11/21/91

11/05/91

10/31/91

11/04/91

10/31/91

10/30/91

10/31/91

10/30/91

12/19/91

10/30/91

10/29/91

11/21/91

11/05/91

11/05/91

11/20/91

11/04/91

11/04/91

11/05/91

11/04/91

11/04/91

M/20/91

11/20/91

11/21/91

11/20/91

11/21/91

11/21/91

12/19/91

12/20/91

12/20/91

12/20/91

12/20/91

12/19/91

12/19/91

Depth below 

land surface 

in feet

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.5

3.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

4.0

3.0

4.0

4.0

3.4

2.7

3.0

2.6

4.0

3.2

3.0

3.7

3.8

3.0

3.2

4.0

3.0

2.3

3.0

3.5

4.0

3.1

Carbon 

tetrachloride

2.131

1.184

.297

.251

.116

.099

ND

.770

ND

ND

.747

.030

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

.083

ND

.013

.010

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

.015

.071

ND

.091

.037

ND

.082

.054

.016

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

-

Concentration

Tetrachloroethylene

0.019

.072

.017

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

.013

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

-

17
Because of the large open intervals, water levels in wells 23-1165 and 23-1053 are a composite of 

those in several water-bearing zones and, therefore, are not representative of any one zone. When water 

levels are high, both of these wells flow, probably because of the presence of alternating layers of rock of 

different permeability that can create semiconfined conditions within the aquifer system and because they 

are near the Raritan River. Ground-water flow in the deeper part of the system may not coincide with 

shallow flow because of geologic structural controls. Water in the deeper zones discharges to pumped and 

flowing wells; to upper, less well-confined zones of water; and probably to the Raritan River southwest of 

the campus.

Ground-Water Quality

The pH of the ground-water samples collected in the study area ranged from 7.3 to 7.8 with the 

exception of that of the sample from well 23-1186, which was 5.5 (table 3). Specific conductance ranged 

from 189 |aS/cm to 2,330 jaS/cm (table 3). Specific conductance is an indicator of ion concentration; as ion 

concentrations increase, conductance of the water increases (Hem, 1985). The higher specific conductances usually indicate the presence of older, more mineralized water; typically values increase with depth 

or near ground-water discharge areas. The specific conductance of the water sample from well 23-1194, a 

shallow well, was 1,090 nS/cm. This high specific conductance is a result of high concentrations of dissolved solids in the water, particularly sodium and chloride (92 mg/L and 280 mg/L, respectively). Waterquality data are presented in tables 3 and 4.

Results of analyses of ground-water samples indicated that the concentrations of beryllium and 

cadmium in water from well 23-1165 exceeded the New Jersey primary maximum contaminant level 

(MCL) for drinking water (4 ng/L and 5 ng/L, respectively) (New Jersey Administrative Code, 1990a). 

Because water samples were collected and analyzed for VOC's only, inorganic water-quality data for well 

23-1053 determined from samples collected by the USGS on August 17, 1988, are included in table 3 and 

discussed in this section. Concentrations of dissolved sulfate in the sample from well 23-1053 and in the 

sample from well 23-1165 exceeded the secondary maximum contaminant level (SMCL) of 250 mg/L 

(New Jersey Administrative Code, 1990b). The elevated concentrations of sulfate in these two samples 

probably can be attributed to the dissolution of gypsum (a calcium sulfate mineral), which occurs at depth 

in the Passaic Formation. Samples from these two wells also were enriched in calcium and magnesium relative to concentrations in samples from shallower wells. The ground-water sample from well 23-1053 also 

contained dissolved manganese in concentrations greater than the SMCL of 0.05 mg/L and dissolved 

sodium in concentrations greater than the SMCL of 50 mg/L. Concentrations of sodium and chloride in the 

sample from well 23-1184 exceeded the SMCL's (50 and 250 mg/L).

Results of analyses of samples indicate that elevated concentrations of selected VOC's are present 

in the ground water near the C-Wing building to depths of at least 55 ft. Concentrations of carbon tetrachloride in samples from wells 23-1184 and 23-1183 were 340 ng/L and 3,400 ng/L, respectively, and 

greatly exceeded the MCL of 2 jag/L (New Jersey Administrative Code, 1990a). Concentrations of PCE in 

samples from both wells exceeded the MCL of 1 ng/L for this compound. PCE concentrations in samples 

from wells 23-1184 and 23-1183 were 5.4 jag/L and 85 ng/L, respectively. Results of analyses of duplicate 

samples collected from wells 23-1184 and 23-1183 that were analyzed at the USGS, New Jersey District, 

laboratory were similar to the results of the original analyses; however, concentrations of trichloroethylene 

in the duplicate sample from well 23-1183 exceeded the MCL of 1 ng/L (New Jersey Administrative 

Code, 1990a). VOC's were not present in ground-water samples collected from well 23-1186, which is 

upgradient from the C-Wing building; however, the temperature of the ground water from this well was 

30.7°C, probably because of the presence of an underground steam line nearby. Because VOC's present in 

the ground water from this well probably would be affected by the elevated water temperature, VOC data 

for this site probably are unreliable.

18
74°28'10" 74°28' 74°27'50" 74°27'40"

NIVERSITY 

GOLF C5

Base from Rutgers University, Modified from Aerial Data Reduction Associates, 1:600,1988, Aerial photography by Keystone Aerial Surveys, March, 1985. EXPLANATION

200 300 400 FEET

 90 

I I

I

IOO METERS

Water-level contour-Shows altitude of water level, 

in feet. Contour interval is variable. Datum is sea level

Topographic contour-Shows altitude of land surface. Contour interval 10 feet. Datum is sea level

Stream

Generalized flow direction

'23-1191 

75.55

Culvert 

BridgeLocation of well-Upper number is well identification number. Lower number is 

altitude of water level, in feet above sea level

Figure 9. Water levels in the shallow aquifer at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, November 1992.
Table 2. Water levels in selected wells at the Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1991-92 

[MM/DD/YY, month/day/year]

Well 

number

23-1053

23-1165 

23-1165 

23-1165 

23-1165 

23-1165 

23-1165 

23-1165

23-1183 

23-1183 

23-1183

23-1184 

23-1184 

23-1184 

23-1184 

23-1184 

23-1184

23-1185 

23-1185 

23-1185 

23-1185

23-1186 

23-1186 

23-1186 

23-1186

23-1187 

23-1187 

23-1187

23-1188 

23-1188 

23-1188

23-1189 

23-1189 

23-1189

23-1190 

23-1190 

23-1190 

23-1190

23-1191 

23-1191 

23-1191 

23-1191 

23-1191

23-1192 

23-1192 

23-1192

Latitude

403110

403108

403118

403118

403118

403120

403112

403114

403116

403117

403118

403118

Longitude

742812

742812

742743

742743

742743

742742

742754

742807

742745

742743

742757

742757

Local well identifier

RUTGERS GOLF COURSE

RUTGERS GOLF 13 OBS

RU-5

RU-2

RU-4

RU-3

B-6

B-9

B-5

B-4

B-1

B-3

Elevation of 

land surface 

(feet above 

sea level)

55.71

58.80

107.59

108.67

107.45

110.93

84.01

61.14

97.32

96.14

79.47

78.66

Depth of 

screen or 

open interval 

(feet below 

land surface)

55-300

50-200

55-75

7-27

7-27

7-27

14- 16

9.6-11.6

5-8

2-4

14-15

5-6

Altitude of 

water level 

(feet above 

sea level)

73.31

57.27 

55.82 

56.86 

58.06 

59.13 

57.88 

56.52

70.79 

68.91 

73.35

96.77 

96.91 

96.85 

96.82 

96.82 

96.84

91.61 

91.11 

90.93 

92.19

98.24 

98.71 

99.00 

101.65

77.52 

78.23 

76.40

59.04 

59.09 

59.81

94.83 

93.61 

94.12

95.41 

96.12 

95.96 

96.51

74.59 

75.52 

75.62 

75.73 

75.55

75.84 

75.84 

76.04

Date 

measured 

(MM/DD/YY)

4/29/92

11/12/91 

12/05/91 

1/13/92 

4/01/92 

4/29/92 

8/17/92 

11/23/92

10/22/91 

11/13/91

4/02/92

8/23/91 

10/22/91 

11/13/91 

1/13/92 

4/02/92 

11/23/92

8/23/91 

10/22/91 

11/13/91 

1/13/92

10/22/91 

1/13/92 

4/01/92 

11/23/92

6/26/92 

8/19/92 

11/23/92

8/14/92 

8/19/92 

11/23/92

1/13/92 

4/07/92 

11/23/92

12/17/91 

1/13/92 

4/07/92 

11/23/92

11/19/91 

12/05/91 

1/13/92 

4/07/92 

11/23/92

12/17/91 

1/13/92 

4/07/92

20
Table 3. Chemical and physical properties of, and selected chemical constituents in, ground-water samples, the 

Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1992

[All concentrations in milligrams per liter unless otherwise noted; ug/L, micrograms per liter; uS/cm, microsiemens per 

centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; <, less than; -- no determination; (°C), degrees Celsius; MM/DD/YY, month/day/year]

Well

number

23-1184

23-1186

23-1183

23-1165

23-1165

23-1053

23-1053

23-1053

Local well

identifier

RU-2

RU-3

RU-5

RUTGERS GOLF 13 OBS

RUTGERS GOLF COURSE

Sampling 

date

(MM/DD/YY)

4/02/92

4/01/92

4/02/92

4/01/92

8/17/92

8/17/88

4/01/92

8/19/92

Temperature

cc)

15.0

30.5

15.5

13.0

12.9

13.0

13.5

13.6

Oxygen, 

dissolved

6.6

5.0

.2

1.4

<!'.3

.1

Field pH 

(standard

units)

7.7

5.5

7.7

7.6

7.8

7.3

7.4

7.5

Specific 

conductance

(n.S/cm)

1,090

189

335

937

1,009

2,330

1,170

2,040

Lab alkalinity

(as CaCO3)

38.0

5.4

130

130

-

106

Well

number

23-1184

23-1186

23-1183

23-1165

23-1165

23-1053

23-1053

23-1053

Ammonia,

dissolved

(asN)

<0.10

< .10

< .10

.19

~

.26

-

Nitrate,

dissolved

(asN)

4.3

4.8

2.1

.21

-

..

-

i

Nitrite,

dissolved

(asN)

<0.010

< .010

< .010

< .010

--

< .010

-

Calcium,

dissolved

(as Ca)

90

11

50

170

-

370

-

Magnesium,

dissolved

(as Mg)

23

5.7

9.0

30

-

45

-

Sodium,

dissolved

(as Na)

92

21

13

45

-

79

-

Potassium,

dissolved

(asK)

5.7

<5.0

<5.0

5.4

-

4.1

--

Chloride,

dissolved

(as Cl)

280

22

24

2.0

-

13

-

Well

number

23-1184

23-1186

23-1183

23-1165

23-1165

23-1053

23-1053

23-1053

Sulfate,

dissolved

(as SO4)

49

31

10

430

-

1,300

Fluoride,

dissolved

(asF)

0.17

.18

.14

.64

-

.10

Arsenic,

dissolved

(ng/L as As)

<5

<5

<5

<5

-

6

Barium,

dissolved

(ng/L as Ba)

130

<100

620

<100

-

Beryllium,

dissolved

(ng/L as Be)

<5

<5

<5

7

-

~

Cadmium,

dissolved

(ng/L as Cd)

<5

<5

<5

11

-

<!

~

Chromium.

dissolved

(ng/L as Cr)

<10

<10

<10

15

~

2

~

Copper,

dissolved

(ng/L as Cu)

<20

<20

<20

30

-

<!

Well

number

23-1184

23-1186

23-1183

23-1165

23-1165

23-1053

23-1053

23-1053

Iron,

dissolved

(ng/L as Fe)

<150

<1SO

<150

<150

-

170

-

Lead,

dissolved

(ng/L as Pb)

<5

<5

<5

<5

-

<5

-

Manganese,

dissolved

(ng/L as Mn)

<30

<30

<30

87

-

320

-

Nickel,

dissolved

(ng/L as Ni)

<4Q

<40

<40

<40

~

..

-

Zinc,

dissolved

(ng/L as Zn)

<50

61

<50

81

-

16

-

Mercury,

dissolved

(ng/L as Hg)

<-,

< (

<-|

<1

-

<0.1

-

Phenols,

total

<w/L.)

<50

<50

<50

<50

-

..

-

Polychlorinated

biphenyls,

total

(WJ/L)

<0.52

<.52

<.52

<.52

-

..

-

21
Table 4. Concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds in ground-water samples, the Rutgers University, 

Busch Campus, New Jersey, 1992

[All concentrations in micrograms per liter unless otherwise noted; <, less than; - no determination; MM/DD/YY, 

month/day/year; DUP, duplicate]

Well number

23-1184

23-1 184 (DUP)

23-1186

23-11 86 (DUP)

23-1183

23-11 83 (DUP)

23-1165

23-1165

23-1053

23-1053

23-1191

23-1190

23-1189

23-1187

23-1188

Sampling 

Local well date 

identifier (MM/DD/YY)

RU-2

RU-3

RU-5

RUTGERS GOLF 13 DBS

RUTGERS GOLF COURSE

B-1

B-4

B-5

B-6

B-9

4/02/92

4/02/92

4/01/92

4/01/92

4/02/92

4/02/92

4/01/92

8/17/92

4/01/92

8/19/92

1/17/92

4/07/92

4/07/92

8/19/92

8/19/92

Benzene 

total

<0.3

< .5

< .3

< .5

< .3

< .5

< .3

< .5

-

..

"

Carbon cis-1 ,2-Ditetra- chlorochloride Chloroform ethylene 

total total total

340

310

< .4

< .5

3.400

2,467

< .4

< .5

< .5

< .5

< .5

112.9

9.9

< .5

< .5

16

66

< .2

.4

24

11.6

< .2

< .5

< .5

< .5

< .5

6.5

1.3

< .5

< .5

<0.3

-

< .3

--

.32

< .3

< .5

< .5

"

Tetrachloroethylene 

total

5.4

10

< .3

< .5

85

74

1.4

3

17.7

15

< .5

1.8

< .5

< .5

< .5

TrichloroTrichloro- fluoroethylene methane 

total total

<0.4

-

< .4

< .5

.83

28

< .4

< .5

< .5

< .5

1

< .5

12

< .4

-

.81

< .4

< .5

< .5

Concentrations of PCE in samples from wells 23-1165 and 23-1053 also exceeded the MCL. 

These wells are located on the University Golf Course about 2,400 ft downgradient from the C-Wing 

building. Because these wells have large open intervals (table 2), the samples represent composites of 

water from several water-bearing zones. Based on the open intervals of these wells, PCE is present in the 

ground water at these wells to depths of at least 50 and 55 ft, respectively. Because of the absence of other 

data-collection points of similar depths between these wells and those at the C-Wing building, however, it 

is inconclusive whether the presence of PCE in samples from these wells is associated with the presence of 

PCE in samples from wells adjacent to the C-Wing building.

Samples collected from piezometers 23-1189 and 23-1190 within and near the soil-gas plume indicate the presence of carbon tetrachloride in the shallow ground water in concentrations greater than the 

MCL. The sample from piezometer 23-1190 also contained concentrations of PCE greater than the MCL. 

Samples withdrawn from other piezometers beyond the soil-gas plume contained no detectable VOC's.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

A zone of contaminated ground water is present adjacent to and downgradient from the Rutgers 

University, Busch Campus, Chemical Engineering building, C-Wing. Surface geophysical techniques were 

used with limited success to delineate the hydrogeologic framework of the site. The average strike of the 

bedrock in the study area is N. 57° E. and the dip is 11° to the northwest. Two major sets of near-vertical 

joints are present at the site; one set trends northeast subparallel to the strike of bedding, and the other set 

trends northwest approximately perpendicular to the first set. The electromagnetic-conductivity survey 

was inconclusive because of man-made interferences; however, the azimuthal resistivity method indicated 

that the dominant axis of joints was aligned in a northeast-southwest direction.

22
Results of a survey of soil gas in the unsaturated zone were used to estimate the extent of contaminants in the shallow subsurface. Carbon tetrachloride was the dominant volatile organic compound (VOC) 

in the unsaturated zone; it was present at 17 of the 43 sites sampled; concentrations of carbon tetrachloride 

in the soil gas were highest near the C-Wing building. Tetrachloroethylene was present in soil-gas samples 

from four sites. Both compounds were present in samples collected about 550 ft from the C-Wing building. 

Shallow contamination could have migrated southwest of the C-Wing building, following the topographic 

gradient The orientation of the soil-gas plume indicates that VOC's may have migrated slightly downdip 

as well; however, this could result from an alteration of the flow path of the shallow ground water as a 

result of the presence of underground structures, such as sewer lines.

Ground-water samples from four observation wells, one irrigation well, and five piezometers at the 

study site were analyzed to determine concentrations of VOC's. Carbon tetrachloride was present in high 

concentrations (3,400 ng/L) in ground-water samples collected near the C-Wing building. Tetrachloroethylene was detected in ground-water samples collected from a well about 2,400 ft downgradient from the CWing building. Carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene were present in ground-water samples collected at screened intervals at least 55 ft below land surface near the C-Wing building. Tetrachloroethylene 

was present in samples collected at a depth of at least 55 ft in wells located on the Rutgers University Golf 

Course downgradient from the C-Wing building.

23
REFERENCES CITED

Aerial Data Reduction Associates, 1988, Topographic survey, Rutgers University, Middlesex County, N.J.: 

Aerial Data Reduction Associates, Pennsauken, New Jersey, scale 1:600.

Ballestero, Thomas, Herzog, Beverly, Evans, O.D., and Thompson, Glenn, 1991, Monitoring and sampling 

the vadose zone, in Practical handbook of ground-water monitoring, Chelsea, Michigan, Lewis 

Publishers, Inc., p. 97-141.

Benson, Richard C., 1991, Remote sensing and geophysical methods for evaluation of subsurface 

conditions, in Practical handbook of ground-water monitoring: Chelsea, Michigan, Lewis 

Publishers, Inc., p. 143-191.

ENSR Consulting and Engineering, 1989, Preliminary ground water assessment for the engineering

building C-wing basement, Piscataway, New Jersey: Somerset, New Jersey, ENSR Consulting and 

Engineering, 47 p., 4 app.

ENSR Consulting and Engineering, 1990, Phase II groundwater assessment for the Busch Campus,

Piscataway, New Jersey: Somerset, New Jersey, ENSR Consulting and Engineering, 24 p., 2 app.

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U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1473, 263 p.

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Development, Division of Water Policy and Supply Special Report 10, 52 p.

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p. E1-E36.

Imbrigiotta, T.E., Gibs, J., Fusillo, TV., Kish, G.R., and Hochreiter, J.J., Jr., 1988, Field evaluation of

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Johnson, A.I., eds., Ground-water contamination field methods: American Society for Testing and 

Materials, Special Technical Publication no. 963, p. 258-273.

Kammer, J.A., and Smith, J.A., 1989, Collection and analysis of unsaturated-zone soil gas for volatile 

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Substances Hydrology Program-Proceedings of the technical meeting, Phoenix, Arizona, 

September 26-30, 1988: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 88-4220, 

p. 617-623.

Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., 1985, Aerial photographs of Rutgers University: Keystone Aerial Surveys, 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, unpublished photographs.

Lyttle, P.T., and Epstein, J.B., 1987, Geologic map of Newark 1° x 2° quadrangle, New Jersey,

Pennsylvania, and New York: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series, 

Map 1-1715, 2 sheets, scale 1:250,000.

24
REFERENCES CITED-Continued

Michalski, Andrew, and Gerber, Todd, 1992, Fracture flow velocities in the Passaic Formation in light of 

interwell tracer tests, in Ashley, G.M., and Halsey, S.D., eds, Environmental geology of the 

Raritan River Basin, Ninth Annual Meeting of the Geological Association of New Jersey, October 

30-31, 1992, New Brunswick, N.J..B1, p. 1-7.

Nemickas, Bronius, 1976, Geology and ground-water resources of Union County, New Jersey: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 76-73, 36 p.

New Jersey Administrative Code, 1990a, Safe drinking-water act: State Primary Drinking Water 

Regulations, Title 7, Chapter 10, Subchapter 5, p. 10-10.1 to 10-13.

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25
Appendix 1. Maximum contaminant levels for selected organic compounds and inorganic constituents, 

New Jersey. (Maximum contaminant levels from New Jersey Administrative Code, 1990a)

Organic compound

Maximum contaminant level 

(micrograms per liter)

Benzene

Carbon tetrachloride

meta-Dichlorobenzene

ortho-Dichlorobenzene

para-Dichlorobenzene

1,2-Dichloroelhane

1,1 -Dichloroethylene

cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene

trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

Methylene chloride

Polychlorinated biphenyls

Tetrachloroelhylene

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

1,1,1 -Trichloroethane

Trichloroethylene

Trihalomethanes

Vinyl chloride

Xylenes (total)

Inorganic constituent

Arsenic

Barium

Beryllium

Cadmium

Chromium

Cyanide

Fluoride

Mercury

Nickel

Nitrate (as nitrogen)

Nitrite

Nitrate/nitrite

Selenium

1

2

600

600

75

2

2

10

10

2

1

8

26

1

100

2

44

50

2,000

4

5

100

200

4,000

2

100

10,000

1,000

10,000

50

.5

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