| The goal of this research is to conduct laboratory experiments in which Cedar Key groundwater is mixed with Gulf of Mexico seawater in various ratios to simulate saltwater intrusion, and then use these waters to quantify increases in trihalomethanes (THMs) and shifts in disinfection byproduct (DBP) speciation in bench scale DBP formation potential experiments. The objectives are (1) collect water samples from the Cedar Key production wells and the Gulf of Mexico in order to develop estimates for groundwater chemistry parameters including chloride, bromide, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultraviolet absorbance (UV254), and pH under various saltwater intrusion scenarios; (2) perform bench scale DBP formation potential experiments on waters containing a range of bromide levels and measure the four THM species (THM4) and individual THM species; (3) interpret results with respect to current THM4 regulations and drinking water treatment practices to develop an applied science adaptation framework that can be used to inform public water systems and better mitigate effects from saltwater intrusion. |
