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Effects of land use on ground-water quality in central Florida — Preliminary results: U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Waste — Ground-water Contamination Program

Water-Resources Investigations Report 86-4163
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri864163

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Abstract

Groundwater is the principal source of drinking water in central Florida. The most important hydrogeologic unit is the Floridan aquifer system, consisting of fractured limestone and dolomite limestone. Activities of man in areas of recharge to the Floridian aquifer system that may be affecting groundwater quality include: (1) the use of drainage wells for stormwater disposal in urban areas, (2) the use of pesticides and fertilizers in citrus groves, and (3) the mining and processing of phosphate ore in mining areas. Preliminary findings about the impacts of these land uses on ground-water quality by comparison with a fourth land use representing the absence of human activity in another area of recharge are presented. Drainage wells convey excess urban stormwater directly to the Upper Floridian aquifer. The volatile organic compounds are the most common contaminants in ground water. Trace elements such as chromium and lead are entering the aquifer but their movement is apparently attenuated by precipitation reactions associated with high pH or by cation-exchange reactions. Among the trace elements and organic chemicals, most ground-water contamination in citrus production areas is caused by pesticides, which include the organic compounds simazine, ametryne, chlordane, DDE , bromacil, aldicarb, EDB, trifluralin, and diazinon, and the trace elements zinc and copper; other contaminants include benzene, toluene, napthalene, and indene compounds. In the phosphate mining area, constituents of concern are arsenic, selenium, and mercury, and secondarily lead, chromium, cadmium, and others. Organic compounds such as fluorene, naphthalene, di-n-butyl phthalate, alkylated benzenes and naphthalenes, and indene compounds also are entering groundwater. (Author 's abstract)

Suggested Citation

Rutledge, A.T., 1987, Effects of land use on ground-water quality in central Florida — Preliminary results: U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Waste — Ground-water Contamination Program: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 86-4163, v, 49 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri864163.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Effects of land use on ground-water quality in central Florida — Preliminary results: U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Waste — Ground-water Contamination Program
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 86-4163
DOI 10.3133/wri864163
Year Published 1987
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description v, 49 p.
Country United States
State Florida
Additional publication details