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Geographic and environmental characteristics evaluated as possible explanatory variables in models of median nitrate concentrations in groundwater in the NJ Highlands Region (Appendix 2 available at http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ sir20155075) v nondetects (left-censored data) in median nitrate-concentration calculations. Median concentrations also were determined using three alternative methods of handling nondetects. Treatment of the 23 percent of samples that were nondetects had little effect on estimated median nitrate concentrations because method detection limits were mostly less than median values.

For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment-visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://store.usgs.gov.Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Cauller, S.J., Voronin, L.M., and Chepiga, M.M., 2016, Simulated effects of groundwater withdrawals from aquifers in Ocean County and vicinity, New Jersey: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5035, 77 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20165035. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii Acknowledgments Lloyd G. Mullikin of the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey provided hydrogeologicframework data and interpretations in support of this project. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Supply, provided the well-permit, water-allocationpermit, and water-use data used in the study. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provided funding for the development of the groundwater flow model.The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of U.S. Geological Survey employees Nicholas Smith in the collection of groundwater-level data, and Jennifer Shourds and John Nawyn in the tabulation of water-use data for this project. Jean Brown performed base-flow separations, and Debra Buxton estimated monthly recharge. Daryll Pope assisted in the development of input files for the Recharge package, and Flow and Head Boundary package of the groundwater-flow model. Leon Kauffman provided a method to graphically present output from particle tracking analysis. Erzsebet Potyo volunteered her time in the preparation of several draft figures. Critical review of the draft report by Cheryl Dieter and Glen Carleton improved the overall content, while reviews by Ruth Larkins and Marc Zimmerman improved the clarity of the text. Gregory Simpson created the layout of report text and figures, and the digital archive of the groundwater-flow model was prepared by Martha Watt. AbstractRapid population growth since

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