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:
- Modify borehole dilution and passive flux meter methods for application in a) matrix flow in the upper Floridan, b) flow through zones with fractures, and c) flow through karst cavities.
- Develop push-pull tracer test methods for applications in complex karst aquifers.
- Use flux meters to quantify groundwater flow and N fluxes at multiple depths in approximately 30 wells.
- Quantify denitrification rates through push pull-tracer tests in selected wells.
- Age dating of groundwater samples from selected locations using environmental tracers.
The present work has its focus on determining groundwater flow characteristics and natural attenuation rates of nitrogen (N) loads in the upper Floridan Aquifer system. The goal of this project is to provide water quality flux data for groundwater models and provide information to define priority areas for water quality management. For more information regarding the SPI project, visit: http://www.sjrwmd.com/springs/investigation.html |
