Upward migration of deep-well waste injection fluids in Floridan Aquifer, south Florida

M. I. Kaufman; D.J. McKenzie

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USGS · 70232496

Upward migration of deep-well waste injection fluids in Floridan Aquifer, south Florida

M. I. Kaufman·D.J. McKenzie

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Abstract

Geochemical data from an industrial deep-well waste injection system southeast of Lake Okeechobee indicate a decrease in sulfate concentration concomitant with an increase in hydrogen sulfide concentration, a result of oxidation of injected organic waste by anaerobic bacteria. Subtle decreases in the sulfate-chloride ratio suggest that the waste migrated upward to a shallow monitor well about 27 mo after waste injection began and again within 15 mo of the resumption of waste injection after the injection well was deepened. The possibility of a hydraulic connection between the injection zone and overlying monitoring zone is implied. The decrease in the sulfate-chloride ratio appears to be a sensitive indicator of waste migration. Potential conflicts exist in the use of the Floridan aquifer for waste disposal and subsequent use as a natural resource.

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Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 26.59159724884548° to 26.820394161280475° latitude; -80.77903747558594° to -80.50300598144531° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

M. I. Kaufman, D.J. McKenzie. 1974. Upward migration of deep-well waste injection fluids in Floridan Aquifer, south Florida. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70232496

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