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Potential for pollution of the Upper Floridan aquifer from five sinkholes and an internally drained basin in west-central Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4013
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874013

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Abstract

Sinkholes are natural and common geologic features in west-central Florida, which is underlain by water soluble limestone deposits. Dissolution of these deposits is the fundamental cause of sinkhole development. Sinkholes and other karst features are more pronounced in the northern part of the study area, but sinkhole activity has occurred throughout the area. Fifty-eight sinkholes with known or suspected connection to the Upper Floridan aquifer are located in the study area. An internally drained basin near the city of Brandon and five sinkholes in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando Counties were selected for detailed investigation. At all sites, chemical or biological constituents were detected that indicate pollutants had entered the aquifer. A generalized classification, based on the potential to pollute, was applied to the selected sites. Four of the sites have high potential and two have moderate potential to pollute the Upper Floridan aquifer. All of the sites investigated are capable of recharging large volumes of water to the Upper Floridan aquifer in short periods of time. Continued monitoring of the quality of water entering the sinkholes and of wells downgradient to the sinks is needed to assess the future impacts on the aquifer. (Author 's abstract)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Potential for pollution of the Upper Floridan aquifer from five sinkholes and an internally drained basin in west-central Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4013
DOI 10.3133/wri874013
Edition -
Year Published 1987
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vii, 103 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
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