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Hydrogeology, water quality, and water-resources development potential of the upper Floridan Aquifer in the Valdosta area, south-central Georgia

Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4044
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934044

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Abstract

Water quality in the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Valdosta, Georgia area is adversely affected by direct recharge from the Withlacoochee River. Water enters the aquifer along a short reach of the river where sinkholes have formed in the stream bed. The water receives little filtration as it recharges the Upper Floridan aquifer through these sinkholes. Naturally occurring organic material in the river provides a readily available source of energy for the growth of microbiota in the aquifer. Microbiological processes and chemical reactions in the aquifer produce methane and hydrogen sulfide as the water from the river mixes with ground water and moves downgradient in the aquifer. Humic substances associated with the organic material in the ground water in this area can form trihalomethanes when the water is chlorinated for public supply. To assess areas most suitable for ground-water supply development, areal distributions of total organic carbon, total sulfide, and methane in the Upper Floridan aquifer were mapped and used to evaluate areas affected by recharge from the Withlacoochee River. Areas where concentrations of total organic carbon, total sulfide, and methane were less than or equal to 2.0 milligrams per liter, 0.5 milligrams per liter, and 100 micrograms per liter, respectively, were considered to be relatively unaffected by recharge from the river and to have the greatest potential for water- resources development.

Suggested Citation

McConnell, J.B., Hacke, C., 1993, Hydrogeology, water quality, and water-resources development potential of the upper Floridan Aquifer in the Valdosta area, south-central Georgia: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 93-4044, vi, 44 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri934044.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrogeology, water quality, and water-resources development potential of the upper Floridan Aquifer in the Valdosta area, south-central Georgia
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 93-4044
DOI 10.3133/wri934044
Year Published 1993
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey ; U.S.G.S. Earth Science Information Center, Open-File Reports Section [distributor],
Contributing office(s) South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description vi, 44 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Country United States
State Georgia
City Valdosta
Other Geospatial Upper Floridan Aquifer
Additional publication details