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Research about Florida

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Florida.

At least 1,657 records · Page 92Linked to original sources
USGS1990

Methods of measurement of exploratory well impacts, offshore Florida

Six offshore oil well tests were drilled off Key West in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Two wells were drilled on coral bottom, two on carbonate sand, and two on mixed turtle grass and gorgonian/sponge hardbottom. After locating the sites with a proton magnetometer; several underwater assessment methods were used to measure the ecological impacts of drilling. Because of differing environments and bottom types, no single method was applicable at every site.

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USGS1989

Hydrogeology, ground-water movement, and subsurface storage in the Floridan aquifer system in southern Florida

The Floridan aquifer system of southern Florida is composed chiefly of carbonate rocks that range in age from early Miocene to Paleocene. The top of the aquifer system in southern Florida generally is at depths ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet, and the average thickness is about 3,000 feet. It is divided into three general hydrogeologic units: (1) the Upper Floridan aquifer, (2) the middle confining unit, and (3) the Lower Floridan aquifer. The Upper Floridan aquifer contains brackish ground water, and the Lower Floridan aquifer contains salty ground water that compares chemically to modern seawater. Zones of high permeability are present in the Upper and Lower Floridan aquifers. A thick, cavernous dolostone in the Lower Floridan aquifer, called the Boulder Zone, is one of the most permeable carbonate units in the world (transmissivity of about 2.5 x 107 feet squared per day). Ground-water movement in the Upper Floridan aquifer is generally southward from the area of highest head in central Florida, eastward to the Straits of Florida, and westward to the Gulf of Mexico. Distributions of natural isotopes of carbon and uranium generally confirm hydraulic gradients in the Lower Floridan aquifer. Groundwater movement in the Lower Floridan aquifer is inland from the Straits of Florida. The concentration gradients of the carbon and uranium isotopes indicate that the source of cold saltwater in the Lower Floridan aquifer is seawater that has entered through the karat features on the submarine Miami Terrace near Fort Lauderdale. The relative ages of the saltwater suggest that the rate of inland movement is related in part to rising sea level during the Holocene transgression. Isotope, temperature, and salinity anomalies in waters from the Upper Floridan aquifer of southern Florida suggest upwelling of saltwater from the Lower Floridan aquifer. The results of the study support the hypothesis of circulating relatively modern seawater and cast doubt on the theory that the saltwater in the Floridan aquifer system probably is connate or unflushed seawater from high stands of sea level. The principal use of the Floridan aquifer system in southern Florida is for subsurface storage of liquid waste. The Boulder Zone of the Lower Floridan aquifer is extensively used as a receptacle for injected treated municipal wastewater, oil field brine, and, to a lesser extent, industrial wastewater. Pilot studies indicate a potential for cyclic storage of freshwater in the Upper Floridan aquifer in southern Florida.

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USGS1989

Water Resources Data for Florida, Water Year 1988. Volume 1A. Northeast Florida - Surface Water

Water-resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage 8, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,620 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 2,678 wells; quality-of-water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for northeast Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 132 streams, periodic discharge for 15 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 14 streams, continuous or daily stage for 45 streams, periodic stage for 27 streams, peak discharge for 26 streams, and peak stage for 27 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 39 lakes, periodic elevations for 53 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 81 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 150 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 970 wells; quality-of-water data for 59 surface-water sites and 100 wells. These data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida; Water year 1988; Volume 2A. South Florida surface water

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 8 streams, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,620 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 2,678 wells; quality of water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for South Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 65 streams, periodic discharge for 2 streams, peak discharge for 4 streams, continuous or daily stage for 82 streams, periodic stage for 16 streams, peak discharge for 2 streams, and peak stage for 12 streams; continuous elevations for 1 lake and periodic elevations for 5 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 179 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 298 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 250 wells; quality-of-water for 6 surface-water sites and 558 wells. This data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1988. Volume 2B: South Florida - ground water

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 8 streams, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1620 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 2678 wells; quality of water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for South Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 65 streams, periodic discharge for 2 streams, peak discharge for 4 streams, continuous or daily stage for 82 streams, periodic stage for 16 streams, peak discharge for 2 streams, and peak stage for 12 streams; continuous elevations for 1 lake, and periodic elevations for 5 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 179 wells, period ground-water levels for 298 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 250 wells; quality-of-water for 6 surface-water sites and 558 wells. This data represent the National Water Data System ·records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1988. Volume 3A: Southwest Florida - surface water

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous daily tide stage for 10 sites, continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1620 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 2678 wells; quality-of-water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3A contains continuous or daily discharge for 59 streams, periodic discharge for 5 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 4 streams, continuous daily stage for 25 streams, periodic stage for 2 streams, peak discharge for 15 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 10 sites, continuous elevation for 22 lakes and periodic elevation for 16 lakes, and quality-of-water for 64 surface-water sites. These data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U. S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1988. Volume 3B: Southwest Florida - ground water

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 8 sites, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1620 wells and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 2678 wells; quality-of-water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for southwest Florida include records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, water quality of lakes and reservoirs, and water levels and water quality of ground-water wells. Volume 3B contains records for continuous ground-water elevations at 203 wells; periodic ground-water elevations at 125 wells; miscellaneous ground-water elevations at 831 wells; and water quality at 237 ground-water sites. These data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U. S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1988. Volume 4: Northwest Florida

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage 8, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1620 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 2678 wells; quality-of-water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for northwest Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 52 streams, periodic discharge for 7 streams, continuous or daily stage for 11 streams, peak discharge for 26 streams, and peak stage for 26 streams; continuous elevations for 5 lakes, and periodic elevations for 4 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 12 wells, and periodic ground-water levels for 80 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 55 wells; quality of water for 28 surface-water sites and 22 wells. These data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, State, and Federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1989. Volume 1B: Northeast Florida ground water

Water resources data for the 1989 water year in Florida consist of continuous or daily discharge for 295 streams, periodic discharge for 36 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 154 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 12 sites, periodic stage for 13 streams, peak discharge for 57 streams, and peak stage for 30 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 514 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 798 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 2,687 wells; quality-of-water data for 149 surface-water sites and 827 wells. The data for northeast Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 122 streams, periodic discharge for 27 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 30 streams, continuous or daily stage for 38 streams, continuous or daily tide stage for 3 sites, periodic stage for 2 streams, peak discharge for 17 streams, and peak stage for 30 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 41 lakes, periodic elevations for 53 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 85 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 150 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 950 wells; quality-of-water data for 60 surface-water sites and 100 wells. These data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Changes in saltwater intrusion in the Biscayne aquifer, Hialeah-Miami Springs area, Dade County, Florida

A lobe of salty groundwater that had intruded the Hialeah-Miami Springs area municipal well field, adjacent to the Miami and Tamiami Canals in Dade County, Florida, was stabilized after flow-regulation structures were installed in the canals in 1946. However, in 1971, the saltwater began to readvance toward the center of the well field because of water level declines caused by large increases in withdrawals during a near-record dry season. To better protect the well field, a temporary flow-regulation structure, constructed in 1971, in the Tamiami Canal was moved in 1976 to a permanent site, about 3,000 ft farther seaward; this converted that tidal reach of canal to a controlled reach under a sustained freshwater head. This water management procedure resulted in dilution of the intruding saltwater lobe and a marked concentration of its size even though large municipal withdrawals continued. (USGS)

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USGS1989

Evaluation of methodology for delineation of protection zones around public-supply wells in west-central Florida

Public-supply wells in the west-central Florida area of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties derive their supply solely from the Floridan aquifer system. In much of this area, the Floridan is at or near land surface and vulnerable to contamination. Recognizing this potential threat to the aquifer, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) recently promulgated regulations providing for the delineation of protection zones around public-supply wells that tap vulnerable aquifers, such as the Floridan in west-central Florida. This report evaluates the methodology for delineation of protection zones for public supply wells in west-central Florida in accordance with the methods detailed in the FDER regulations. Protection zones were delineated for public supply wells or well fields that are permitted an average daily withdrawal of 100,000 gal or more from the Floridan aquifer system where it is unconfined or leaky confined. Leaky confined, as used in FDER regulations describe conditions such that the time for a particle of water to travel vertically from the water table to the top of the Floridan is 5 years or less. Protection zones were delineated by using a radial volumetric-displacement model that simulated 5 years of permitted-rate withdrawal. Where zones overlapped, such as for well fields, composite protection zones in shapes that varied according to the configuration of well arrays were delineated on maps.

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USGS1989

Effects of river discharge and high-tide stage on salinity intrusion in the Weeki Wachee, Crystal, and Withlacoochee River estuaries, southwest Florida

The Weeki Wachee, Crystal, and Withlacoochee Rivers are coastal streams flowing into the Gulf of Mexico that may be affected by either future surface water or groundwater withdrawals. Reduction of river discharge will affect the upstream extent of saltwater intrusion in the rivers; however, under certain reduced low-flow discharges, the estimated change in upstream extent of saltwater intrusion is on the order of several tenths of a mile and frequently is within the range of predicted error. Data on flow, tides, and salinity describe the physical characteristics of the Weeki Wachee, Crystal, and Withlacoochee River systems. Vertical and longitudinal salinity profiles indicate that salinity of the rivers increases downstream and varies substantially at any given location. The Weeki Wachee River system is the best mixed of the three. The Crystal River system exhibited the next best mixed system, and the Withlacoochee River system exhibited the most variation in its salinity regime. The daily maximum upstream extent of salinity intrusion is described by multiple linear-regression analysis based on daily mean streamflow of each river and high-tide stage of the gulf. The equations are used to show the effects of discharge on the daily maximum upstream extent of salinity intrusion in the rivers.

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USGS1989

Effects of three highway-runoff detention methods on water quality of the surficial aquifer system in central Florida

Water quality of the surficial aquifer system was evaluated at one exfiltration pipe, two ponds (detention and retention), and two swales in central Florida, representing three runoff detention methods, to detect any effects from infiltrating highway runoff. Concentrations of major ions, metals, and nutrients were measured in ground water and bottom sediments from 1984 through 1986. At each study area, constituent concentrations in ground water near the structure were compared to concentrations in ground water from an upgradient control site. Ground-water quality data also were pooled by detention method and statistically compared to detect any significant differences between methods. Analysis of variance of the rank-converted water-quality data at the exfiltration pipe indicated that mean concentrations of 14 of 26 water-quality variables are significantly different among sampling locations (the pipe, unsaturated zone, saturated zone, and the control well). Most of these differences are between the unsaturated zone and the other locations. Only phosphorus is significantly higher in ground water near the pipe than in ground water at the control well. Analysis of variance of rank-converted water-quality data at the retention pond indicated significant differences in 14 of 25 water-quality variables among sampling locations (surficial aquifer system, intermediate aquifer, pond and the control well), but mean concentrations in ground water below the pond were never significantly higher than in ground water from the control well. Analysis of variance results at other study areas indicated few significant differences in water quality among sampling locations. Values of water-quality variables measured in ground water at all study areas generally were within drinking water standards. The few exceptions included pH (frequently lower than the limit of 6.5 at one pond and both swales), and iron, which frequently exceeded 300 micrograms per liter in ground water at one swale and the detention pond. Large concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons were measured in sediments at the retention pond but qualitative analysis of organic compounds in ground water from three wells indicated concentrations of only 1 to 5 micrograms per liter at one site, and below detection level (1 microgram per liter) at the other two sites. This may be an indication of immobilization of organic compounds in sediments. Significant differences for most variables were indicated among ground-water quality data pooled by detention method. Nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were highest in ground water near swales and the exfiltration pipe, and Kjeldahl nitrogen was highest near ponds. Chromium, copper, and lead concentrations in ground water were frequently below detection levels at all study areas, and no significant differences among detention methods were detected for any metal concentration with the exception of iron. High iron concentrations in ground water near the detention pond and one swale most likely were naturally occurring and unrelated to highway runoff. Results of the study indicate that natural processes occurring in soils attenuate inorganic constituents in runoff prior to reaching the receiving ground water. However, organic compounds detected in sediments at the retention pond indicate a potential problem that may eventually affect the quality of the receiving ground water.

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USGS1989

Potential for saltwater intrusion into the Upper Floridan aquifer, Hernando and Manatee Counties, Florida

Pumpage from the Upper Floridan aquifer has caused a lowering of the potentiometric surface and has increased potential for saltwater intrusion into the aquifer in coastal areas of west-central Florida. Groundwater withdrawals are likely to increase because of expected population growth, especially in coastal areas. To increase the understanding of the potential and mechanics of saltwater intrusion, two sites were selected for study. Data were collected at each site from a centrally located deep well, and digital models were developed to simulate groundwater flow and solute transport. The northern site is in Hernando County near the town of Aripeka. The test well in the area was drilled about 1 mile from the coast to a depth of 820 ft. Freshwater was present in the carbonate rock aquifer to a depth of about 500 ft and saltwater occurred from 560 ft to the base of the aquifer at about 750 ft. Between the freshwater and saltwater is the zone of transition, also referred to as the freshwater-saltwater interface. The southern site is in Manatee County near the town of Rubonia. Drilling of the test well was completed at 1,260 ft, just below the base of the Upper Floridan aquifer. The transition zone in this well occurs between 875 and 975 ft within a highly permeable zone. Digital simulations show flow patterns similar to the cyclic flow of seawater and interface theory. Simulations have shown that saltwater contamination of coastal wells would not be noticed as quickly as water-level declines resulting from inland pumpage. (USGS)

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