Land use changes and groundwater quality in Florida

Can Denizman

doi:10.1007/s13201-018-0776-9

Abstract

Land use changes around 26 karstic cave–spring systems in Florida were evaluated using geographic information system. Located in the unconfined or semiconfined zones of the Floridan aquifer, some of the cave–spring systems are directly connected to the surficial land use processes by sinking streams, whereas others receiving diffuse recharge are still vulnerable to contamination due to a thin sandy cover overlying the aquifer. Comparison of nitrate-producing land use practices between 2004 and 2013–2014 shows increasing risks of groundwater contamination in the Floridan aquifer. Proliferation of septic systems and wastewater treatment sites due to growing residential areas, increased use of fertilizers for farming and landscaping stand out as major causes of nitrate overload in the both surface and groundwater.

Highlights

As the largest liquid freshwater reservoir of our planet, groundwater has been under stress in terms of both quantity and quality
Land use changes around major cave–spring systems between 2004 and 2013–2014 are examined as potential causes of nutrient overload in the Floridan aquifer groundwater
The assessment of land use changes around selected cave–spring systems confirms the existence of anthropogenic impact on the widely reported elevated nitrate concentrations in spring and surface waters of Florida

Summary

Introduction

As the largest liquid freshwater reservoir of our planet, groundwater has been under stress in terms of both quantity and quality. In a later study of the Wakulla Springs area, Eller and Katz (2014) report that septic tanks contribute more nitrogen to groundwater, comprising 51% of the total nitrogen loads They cite farm fertilizer as the leading source of nitrogen in areas where the Floridan aquifer is confined. Land use changes around major cave–spring systems between 2004 and 2013–2014 are examined as potential causes of nutrient overload in the Floridan aquifer groundwater. The data used in this study are as follows: Caves: The centerlines of cave–springs systems, located within the unconfined or semiconfined zones of the Floridan aquifer, were digitized by the author GIS was used to determine the areal percentages of septic systems around the caves and to find the number of hazardous waste sites that are closest to each cave

Results and discussion

Conclusions

Compliance with ethical standards