Assessing Point Groundwater Contamination Potential: The Floridan Aquifer

Introduction

Where might the Floridan aquifer be more susceptible to point contamination sources such as Superfund sites?

Point contamination originates when contaminants are released at readily identifiable spots such as underground gasoline tanks, septic tanks, or industrial and municipal landfills. This lab assesses point contamination potential for the Floridan aquifer by creating a cost-weighted distance grid for designated Superfund contamination sites.

Location

The study area is located along the Suwannee River, Florida (figure 1).

Time to complete the lab

It should take approximately three hours to complete this lab.

Prerequisites

Students should have advanced GIS experience.

Data used in this lab

Raster data layers

Thickness of the Geologic Unit Overlying the Floridan Aquifer (Overburden Thickness): Prepared by the Florida Geological Survey (FGS)

Soil Permeability: Prepared by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Vector data layers

Superfund Sites: Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2005

Karstic Depressions: Compiled by Can Denizman

Geographic coordinate system: GCS_North_American_1983_HARN

Datum: D_North_American_1983_HARN

Projection: Albers conical equal area (Florida Geographic Data Library)