Geology and evolution of lakes in north-central Florida

Environmental Geology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Fluid exchange between surficial waters and groundwater in karst environments, and the processes that control exchange, are of critical concern to water management districts and planners. High-resolution seismic data were collected from 30 lakes of north-central Florida. In each case study, lake structure and geomorphology were controlled by solution and/or mechanical processes. Processes that control lake development are twofold: (1) karstification or dissolution of the underlying limestone, and (2) the collapse, subsidence, or slumping of overburden to form sinkholes. Initial lake formation is directly related to the karst topography of the underlying host limestone. Case studies have shown that lakes can be divided by geomorphic types into progressive developmental phases: (1) active subsidence or collapse phase (young); (2) transitional phase (middle age); (3) baselevel phase (mature); and (4) polje (drowned prairie) – broad flat-bottom that have one or all phases of sinkhole. Using these criteria, Florida lakes can be classified by size, fill, subsurface features, and geomorphology.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Geology and evolution of lakes in north-central Florida
Series title Environmental Geology
DOI 10.1007/s002540050428
Volume 38
Issue 4
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher Springer Link
Description 21 p.
First page 301
Last page 321
Country United States
State Florida
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