Introduction:
Florida's system of aquifers is divided into three major systems, the surficial aquifer system, the intermediate aquifer system, and the Floridian aquifer system. Florida aquifers consist of carbonate rock, made up almost entirely of calcite or dolomite which has high porosity and is highly permeable.
An aquifer is a layer of sediment that transmits groundwater. Aquifers are susceptible to contaminates due to the high porosity and permeability of Florida’s geology. Aquifers are typically assessed based on their vulnerability to contaminates before being open to public consumption. Water-resource decision makers conduct vulnerability assessments to assess a ground-water resources likelihood to contamination depending on intrinsic susceptibility as well as the locations and types of sources of naturally occurring and anthropogenic contamination,
relative locations of wells, and the fate and transport of the contaminant(s).
Specifically, to Volusia County, our groundwater’s health can be impacted by coastal urbanization, saltwater intrusion, over-pumping, leachate from a landfill, treatment plants, and agricultural/livestock production farms. Natural disasters, for example Hurricane Irma, could have especially affected our local aquifers due to flooding and storm surges.
What is Known?
Scientific Question:
Is there evidence of harmful pollutants or abnormalities throughout Volusia County’s aquifers?
If abnormalities are found, what can we conclude on the health and quality of our groundwater.
Materials:
1. 500 mL amber-colored Nalgene water sampling bottle.
2. Refractometer used to measure salinity.
3. DR/890 HACH Colormeter used to measure total phosphate, nitrate, and copper.
4. HACH HQ 11d used to measure pH level.
5. 20X-40X Binocular Stereo Dissecting Microscope
6. MaximaDry Fisher Scientific Vacuum Pump.
7. Distilled water
8. 3% HCl acid
Methods:
1. 500 mL amber-colored Nalgene bottles were distributed to well-water owning classmates.
2. Students were instructed to sample their well water before entering a filtration system.
3. All sample bottles were properly stored and transported back to the lab in cool packs.
4. Water samples were analyzed for salinity using the refractometer.
5. pH was measured using the HACH HQ 11d.
6. Water sample were then filtered using the MaximaDry Fisher Scientific Vacuum Pump.
7. Filtered papers were stored for future references and later observed under the 20X-40X Binocular Stereo Dissecting Microscope.
8. Using the DR/890 HACH Colormeter, filtered samples were then transferred to clean Nalgene bottles and analyzed for total nitrate using method 10021, total phosphate using method 8048, and copper using method .
9. Data was collected and displayed.
Results:
The results of what was filtered out of the water samples were quite interesting. After the filtration process was complete, a noticeable yellow film was observed from site 2. Site 3 had a large quantity of microfibers. Site 2 did not have as many concerning extremities as the other two sites that as discussed. We were unable to salvage site 3’s filtration paper. The filtration paper used during the filtration process was observed under a 20X-40X Binocular Stereo Dissecting Microscope. Below is a series of pictures of the 3 salvaged filtration papers. The top series were taken without the microscope, while the bottom was taken with a microscope for better detail. As represented in figure 9, remnants of total dissolved solids can be clearly show. It was unclear what these transparent minerals were. We tested the minerals by dropping 3% HCl to determine if it was calcium carbonate. After it tested negative for calcium, we saturated the paper with water to test for salt. When the mineral began to dissolve we concluded they were salt remains. In site 1 and site 3, we observed 1 microfiber in each sample. In site 3, there were more sediment remains that site 1. Site 1 had the cleaned filtered sample of the 3 sites observed.
When compare the locations of my samples to my results, several theories are brought to attention, pertaining to the health and quality of Volusia County’s aquifers. Site 1 was the most inland water sample, while the other three sites were closer to the coast. Site 1 had the lowest salinity due to it being the furthest from the ocean. Site 2 and 3 had relatively high salinity levels which could indicate the development of saltwater encroachment. Remains of salt were also found in site 2 samples. This was confirmed by dissolving the found salt with distilled water. The pH in site 1 was the highest of the 4 sites. This may be due to the fact that site 1 location is surrounded by springs. Although site 3 pH level were within EPA guidelines, its pH was the most acidic. The owner of site 3 Has stated that their well has suffered from over pumping which could be a result in the low pH.
In conclusion, despite seeing some slightly concerning results such as the high salinity level in site 2 and 3 and the salt remnants in site 2, no significant abnormalities have occurred in this groundwater studies. The results concluded to be within EPA guidelines.
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| Transect map of the locations in which water samples were taken. |
Future Proposed Scientific Research
As the groundwater quality study IRP comes to an end, many opportunities are presented to further and expand future groundwater quality studies. Throughout this IRP, basic test has been conducted on several water samples taken from well water in residential homes. In the future, the main goal would be to research areas whose water is more likely to be affected by contaminates. For example, concentrate sample sites in well water homes in the vicinity of landfills, large agricultural operations, etc. These specific sites will be tested for volatile organic contaminates. In order to test for more extreme contaminates, specific equipment would need to be to continue these studies.
Id like to thank everyone who helped me conduct this study!
Bibliography:
1. “Home Water Testing.” EPA, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/2005_09_14_faq_fs_homewatertesting.pdf.
2. “Drinking Water Quality Reports.” Volusia County, www.volusia.org/services/public-works/water-resources-and-utilities/drinking-water-quality-reports.stml.
3.“National Primary Drinking Water Regulation.” EPA, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/npwdr_complete_table.pdf.
4. “National Water-Quality Assessment.” USGS NAWQA: Regional Assessments of Principal Aquifers, water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/praq/flordn/index.html.
5.“Florida Springs Institute” - Floridan Aquifer, floridaspringsinstitute.org/floridan-aquifer.
6. “Secondary Drinking Water Standards”, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, https://floridadep.gov/water/source-drinking-water/content/secondary-drinking-water-standards
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