This project contributes to the Science Component of the St. Johns River Water Management District Springs Protection Initiative (SPI) http://www.sjrwmd.com/springs/initiative.html. The partnership is called the “Collaborative Research Initiative on Sustainability and Protection of Springs,” or CRISPS. While the overall goal of the SPI is to acknowledge that effective management of springs requires that understanding of the relative influences and manageability of the numerous natural and anthropogenic forcings that affect their ecological health, the objectives of this portion of research are as follows:
- Collect solid phase and nitrate isotope samples from borehole samples from new groundwater monitoring sites.
- Analyze solid phase and extractable carbon (C), N, and phosphorus (P) in half of selected borehole samples.
- Assess denitrification activity in borehole samples in half of selected borehole samples.
The present work is to determine the source, concentration, and rates of removal of nitrogenous compounds in geologic layers overlying within the upper Floridian Aquifer. The overarching goal of the Nitrogen Biochemistry work group is to develop methods to identify areas within springsheds where high nitrogen (N) loading overlaps with low subsurface attenuation of N, thus identifying high risk areas in which to focus future management strategies. For more information regarding the SPI project Springs science investigation, visit:
http://www.sjrwmd.com/springs/investigation.html |
