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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Preliminary Geophysical Characterization Of The Karst Within A Transverse Glade In The Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Miami-Dade County Florida, Usa, Lee J. Florea, Jeff Ransom, Dallas Hazelton
Preliminary Geophysical Characterization Of The Karst Within A Transverse Glade In The Atlantic Coastal Ridge, Miami-Dade County Florida, Usa, Lee J. Florea, Jeff Ransom, Dallas Hazelton
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
In this paper we present results of two DC Electrical Resistivity Tomography surveys at Deering Estate at Cutler in the Atlantic Coastal Ridge of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This County Natural Area encompasses Deering Glade and hosts one of the largest remaining tropical hardwood-hammock ecosystems in the USA. A canal extension, wetland restoration, and pump station recently constructed at Deering Estate by the South Florida Water Management District is designed to re-hydrate Deering Glade to pre-development conditions thus helping to sustain the hammock ecosystem and reverse trends in salt-water intrusion in this portion of the Biscayne aquifer. For these transects, we …
Isotopes Of Carbon In A Karst Aquifer Of The Cumberland Platea Of Kentucky , Usa, Lee J. Florea
Isotopes Of Carbon In A Karst Aquifer Of The Cumberland Platea Of Kentucky , Usa, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
In this study, the concentration and isotopic composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) are measured in the karst groundwater of the Otter Creek watershed of the Cumberland Plateau of Kentucky, USA. Comparisons among these data and with the geochemistry of carbonate and gypsum equilibrium reactions reveal that DOC concentration is inversely related to discharge, multiple reaction pathways provide DIC with isotopic enrichment that may be directly related to mineral saturation, and oxidation of reduced sulfur is possible for dissolution. DOC is derived from C3 vegetation with an average δ13CDOC of ‒27‰. DIC in groundwater is …
Preliminary Summary Of Water Resource Investigations During 2012 At Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah, Lee J. Florea, Chelsie R. Dugan, Camille Mckinney
Preliminary Summary Of Water Resource Investigations During 2012 At Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah, Lee J. Florea, Chelsie R. Dugan, Camille Mckinney
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
This manuscript considers the hydrology and geochemistry of water resources within Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork, Utah. In particular, data are presented for five cave pools within the Monument and the American Fork River that flows through the Monument. Two independent dye trace attempts in this study have not established a connection between the surface near the canyon rim at the south border of the Monument and the cave pools or the river. Ion chemistry of the pools reveals elevated sulfate concentrations. Analysis of sulfate and other reaction products suggests the possibility of combined carbonic and sulfuric acids …
Investigations Into The Potential For Hypogene Speleogenesis In The Cumberland Plateau Of Southeast Kentucky, U.S.A., Lee J. Florea
Investigations Into The Potential For Hypogene Speleogenesis In The Cumberland Plateau Of Southeast Kentucky, U.S.A., Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
This manuscript offers preliminary geochemical evidence that investigates the potential for hypogene speleogenesis in the Cumberland Plateau of southeastern Kentucky, U.S.A. The region was traditionally considered a classic example of epigenic karst, but new insights have uncovered tantalizing observations that suggest alternatives to simple carbonic acid speleogenesis. Such first-order observations have included natural petroleum seeps at the surface and in caves, occasional cave morphologies consistent with action of hypogene fluids, and prolific gypsum within cave passages. To this point, geochemical data from caves and springs verify carbonic acid as the primary dissolutional agent; however, these same analyses cannot rule out …
The Southeastern Coastal Plain: An Overview, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
The Southeastern Coastal Plain: An Overview, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Florida enjoys the highest density of large springs in North America (Scott et al., 2004); Silver Springs is just one of the 33 first-magnitude springs (mean flow greater than 100 cfs (2.8 m3/s), and there are hundreds of smaller springs (Fig. 6.2; see Meinzer, 1927, and Scott et al., 2004). They are supplied by spectacular underwater caves that are internationally recognized in the cave-diving community. Less well known are the many air-filled caves of the region (see Florea, 2006; Moore, 2006; Lane 1986). Though generally smaller than their aquatic counterparts, their beauty can rival the world’s best show caves. This …
The Cumberland Plateau Of Eastern Kentucky, Larry C. Simpson, Lee J. Florea
The Cumberland Plateau Of Eastern Kentucky, Larry C. Simpson, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Eastern Kentucky contains almost the same Mississippian limestones that appear at Mammoth Cave in south-central Kentucky (Chapter 3). To the east these strata dip below the Appalachian Basin and reappear as the Greenbrier Group in the Virginias. The limestone outcrop in eastern Kentucky follows the western margin of the Cumberland Plateau and forms a ragged ribbon of karst that is continuous from southeastern Ohio through Kentucky and Tennessee and into northern Alabama. There are more than 2,000 documented caves comprising over 470 km of surveyed passage in the Kentucky segment of the Cumberland Plateau (Fig. 2.115). At least 14 are …
Caves And Karst Of West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea, David Budd, Robert Brinkmann
Caves And Karst Of West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea, David Budd, Robert Brinkmann
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
The real west-central Florida is far from the “Sunshine State” image of white sand beaches and palm trees. Gently rolling hills, dense jungle-like forests, pine and palmetto scrublands, impenetrable cypress swamps, and alligator-laden rivers are more common. Numerous crystal-clear springs offer a glimpse of the hidden world below – a world that could challenge the most imaginative Disney artists (Fig. 6.17).
Geology And Hydrology Of Karst In West-Central And North-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea
Geology And Hydrology Of Karst In West-Central And North-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
The state of Florida is blessed with the highest density of large springs in North America and hundreds of smaller springs where the water from limestone aquifers returns to the surface (Scott et al., 2004). Spectacular underwater caves supply water to these springs. Lesser known are the equally fantastic air-filled caves of Florida and South Georgia (Florea, 2006; Lane, 1986). This paper features these underwater and airfilled caves, explores the impact of changes in sea level on karst in this near-coastal environment, and establishes several geologic and hydrologic characteristics that distinguish karst in the limestones of the southeast from karst …
Visualization Of Groundwater Flow Within Touching-Vug And Matrix Porosity In An Eogenetic Karst Aquifer, Lee J. Florea, Kevin J. Cunningham, Stephen Altobelli
Visualization Of Groundwater Flow Within Touching-Vug And Matrix Porosity In An Eogenetic Karst Aquifer, Lee J. Florea, Kevin J. Cunningham, Stephen Altobelli
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
In this study, we use an innovative, non-invasive technology, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), to visualize the direction and magnitude of groundwater flow in field samples of late Pleistocene limestone of the Biscayne aquifer. Specific goals of the first set of NMRI experiments are to map the advective velocity of water flowing at two rates of specific discharge (0.00025 and 0.00013 m/s) through a 10-cm-diameter cylindrical, epoxy-resin model. The model interior accurately reproduces a well-connected maze of ichnologically influenced, centimeter-scale, touching-vug macroporosity common within preferred flow zones in parts of the Biscayne aquifer. A second set of NMRI experiments investigates …
Focus Group On Karst Hydrology - Conceptual Models, Aquifer Characterization, And Numerical Modeling, Martin Sauter, Lee J. Florea, Others
Focus Group On Karst Hydrology - Conceptual Models, Aquifer Characterization, And Numerical Modeling, Martin Sauter, Lee J. Florea, Others
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Biogenic Porosity And Its Lattice Boltzmann Method Permeability In The Karst Biscayne Aquifer, Kevin Cunningham, Mike Sukop, Haibo Huang, Pedro Alvarez, Allen Curran, Michael Waker, Lee J. Florea, Robert Renken, Joann F. Dixon
Biogenic Porosity And Its Lattice Boltzmann Method Permeability In The Karst Biscayne Aquifer, Kevin Cunningham, Mike Sukop, Haibo Huang, Pedro Alvarez, Allen Curran, Michael Waker, Lee J. Florea, Robert Renken, Joann F. Dixon
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Sinkhole Distribution Based On Pre-Development Mapping In Urbanized Pinellas County, Florida, Usa, Robert Brinkmann, Kelly Wilson, Nichole Elko, Larry D. Seale, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Sinkhole Distribution Based On Pre-Development Mapping In Urbanized Pinellas County, Florida, Usa, Robert Brinkmann, Kelly Wilson, Nichole Elko, Larry D. Seale, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Locating sinkholes in Pinellas County, Florida, is confounded by the presence of a cover of Quaternary sediments that mute the surface appearance of these sinkholes. As a first step in addressing the sinkhole hazard in the county, we analysed aerial photographs from 1926 and 1995 that covered the entire county. We digitized all identifiable sinkholes in each set of photographs in a GIS (Geographical Information System) using a set of criteria established to differentiate between karst depressions and depressions resulting from other geological processes. The 1926 photographs, although of low quality, helped to establish a baseline prior to urbanization. The …
International, Cooperative Research In The Apuseni Mountains Of Western Romania, Lee J. Florea, Bogdan P. Onac
International, Cooperative Research In The Apuseni Mountains Of Western Romania, Lee J. Florea, Bogdan P. Onac
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
In May of 2006, nine American scientists and cavers from the Karst Research Group at the University of South Florida traveled to western Romania to attend and present at an international conference on records of climate change in caves in the historic Roman town of Baile Hurculane. The conference, co-sponsored by the “Emil Racoviţă” Speleological Institute of Romania and the Karst Waters Institute, drew more than 100 experts in the field of climate change and karst, and was a wonderful time spent alongside the thermal springs and Austro-Hungarian bathhouses nestled within the massive limestone canyon of the Cerna River. Following …
I Sinkholes Nella Letteratura Scientifica Internazionale: Una Breve Rassegna, Con Particulare Riferimento Agli Stati Uniti D'America, Lee J. Florea, Mario Parise
I Sinkholes Nella Letteratura Scientifica Internazionale: Una Breve Rassegna, Con Particulare Riferimento Agli Stati Uniti D'America, Lee J. Florea, Mario Parise
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Fenomeni di sinkholes sono diffusi in moltissimi paesi del mondo, in ambiti geologici e morfologici alquanto differenziati, e coinvolgono svariate litologie, sia nelle successioni di copertura che in quelle direttamente affioranti alla superficie. Il presente contributo intende fornire una breve rassegna, certamente non esaustiva, sullo stato dell’arte delle ricerche relative ai sinkholes in ambito internazionale. Esso consiste in una descrizione della più aggiornata e diffusa classificazione dei sinkholes e, a seguire, in descrizioni delle più tipiche casistiche di sinkholes nei vari paesi. Tra questi, viene dato particolare risalto agli Stati Uniti d’America (e, più in particolare, alla Florida), dove le …
Architecture Of Air-Filled Caves Within The Karst Of The Brooksville Ridge, West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea
Architecture Of Air-Filled Caves Within The Karst Of The Brooksville Ridge, West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Air-filled caves surveyed in the Brooksville Ridge of west-central Florida provide insight into the organization of karstic permeability within the unconfined portions of the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The morphology of the passages that compose these caves in geologically young, high-permeability limestones is strikingly different from caves found in ancient carbonates far from the influence of the coast. Cave passages in west-central Florida are laterally extensive and tiered. Principal horizons of cave development occur between +3 m and +5 m, +12 m and +15 m, and +20 m and +22 m above modern sea level. The primary guide of cave passage …
Morphologic Features Of Conduits And Aquifer Response In The Unconfined Floridan Aquifer System, West Central Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Morphologic Features Of Conduits And Aquifer Response In The Unconfined Floridan Aquifer System, West Central Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Conduits within the unconfined Floridan Aquifer of west-central Florida include both horizontal and vertical components. In this paper, we investigate each and propose theories based upon cave survey data and a collection of over 300 Florida cave maps. First, we find that vertical portions of conduits visually correlate to fractures, and these fractures tend to be the dominant control of conduit directionality. Length-weighted rose diagrams of passage directions reveal a NW-SE and NE-SW pattern of conduit directions statistically similar to results found in remote sensing studies of photolinears. Secondly we note that horizontal elements of conduits occur at consistent horizons …
Le Voragini Catastrofiche Della Florida, Lee J. Florea, Robert Brooks, Tom Turner, Mario Parise
Le Voragini Catastrofiche Della Florida, Lee J. Florea, Robert Brooks, Tom Turner, Mario Parise
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
The West-Central Florida landscape is worlds away from white-sand beaches and palm trees: gentle rolling hills, dense jungle-like forests, pine tree and palmetto scrub lands, impenetrable cypress swamps, and alligator-laden rivers. Numerous crystal-clear springs offer a glimpse of the hidden world below these wildly-diverse ecosystems. Internationally recognized in the cave diving community, Florida harbors some of the longest and most spectacular underwater cave systems. Lesser known are Florida’s “dry” caves, that rarely have large natural openings and, though often smaller than their aquatic counterparts, the beauty found within can rival the world’s best show-caves. Little was known about caves and …
Community Education In Karst At The Geological Alumni Society Geopark, University Of South Florida, Beth Fratesi, Lee J. Florea
Community Education In Karst At The Geological Alumni Society Geopark, University Of South Florida, Beth Fratesi, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Cave Levels, Marine Terraces, Paleoshorelines, And The Water Table In Peninsular Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Cave Levels, Marine Terraces, Paleoshorelines, And The Water Table In Peninsular Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Levels of passages are a common feature of many cave systems around the world. Likewise, coastal and marine terraces are common in coastal plain settings. This paper extends the discussion of cave levels from traditional research sites in the interior lowlands of the United States to the Atlantic Coastal Plains, namely peninsular Florida. Are there levels in Florida caves, and is there a link between the elevation of cave levels, marine terraces, paleoshorelines, and thus the water table, above and below present sea level in peninsular Florida?
Using State-Wide Gis Data To Identify The Coincidence Betwen Sinkholes And Geologic Structure, Lee J. Florea
Using State-Wide Gis Data To Identify The Coincidence Betwen Sinkholes And Geologic Structure, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
The Kentucky GIS coverage of sinkholes, completed in 2003, consists of 101,176 polygons representing the uppermost closed contour of every karst sinkhole identified using USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic maps. This resource is a useful tool for delineating karst landscapes in Kentucky because karstified limestones underlie 55% of the areal surface of the state. For hydrologic studies, alignments of sinkholes commonly indicate preferential flowpaths for groundwater; and this information aids in large-scale planning and zoning. In this paper, I demonstrate the effectiveness of using this sinkhole coverage as a tool for delimiting structural features of Kentucky.
The 2004 Vaca Pateau Geoarcheology Expedition - Belize, Lee J. Florea, Beth Fratesi, Philip Reeder, Amber Yuellig
The 2004 Vaca Pateau Geoarcheology Expedition - Belize, Lee J. Florea, Beth Fratesi, Philip Reeder, Amber Yuellig
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Karst Of Western Cuba: Observations, Geomorphology, And Diagenesis, Larry D. Seale, Limaris R. Soto, Lee J. Florea, Beth Fratesi
Karst Of Western Cuba: Observations, Geomorphology, And Diagenesis, Larry D. Seale, Limaris R. Soto, Lee J. Florea, Beth Fratesi
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
In Cuba, we observed many karst features in a variety of hydrogeologic settings. These hy-drogeologic settings occur in close proximity only because of the complex tectonic history of the is-land. We observed caves within rocks ranging from Pleistocene to Jurassic, and representing a range of diagenetic ages from eogenetic to teloge-netic. Our observations are from the western one-third of the island of Cuba; however, we believe they are representative of hydrogeologic settings found throughout the island.
Light & Dark: The Hidden Wonders Of Buck Creek, Lee J. Florea
Light & Dark: The Hidden Wonders Of Buck Creek, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
As early morning mists rise from the banks of its supple waters, beams of light penetrate the Buck Creek valley illuminating its beauty. While light illuminates most of the land, there are secret places, nestled within the forest where darkness reigns supreme. Places beyond the touch of the sun, beyond the influence of seasons. Here time is measured not in cycles of light but by the flow of water and fall of rock. These are the caves, conduits for water past and present. Nestled in the hills of south-central Kentucky the caves along Buck Creek provide the lifeblood for a …
Sedimentation And Porosity Enhancement In A Breached Flank Margin Cave, Lee J. Florea, John Mylroie, Adam Price
Sedimentation And Porosity Enhancement In A Breached Flank Margin Cave, Lee J. Florea, John Mylroie, Adam Price
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Karst Gis Advances In Kentucky, Lee J. Florea, Randall L. Paylor, Larry Simpson, Jason Gulley
Karst Gis Advances In Kentucky, Lee J. Florea, Randall L. Paylor, Larry Simpson, Jason Gulley
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Little statewide geospatial data was available for Kentucky caves and karst in the past. Recent trends in land development have prompted a distinct need for these data in order to help minimize impact to cave and karst resources. During the past two years, the I-66 Special Project of the National Speleological Society, The Kentucky Speleological Survey, and the Kentucky Geological Survey have gathered, archived, and developed karst data for the state. Current projects include publication of karst basin maps, archiving cave entrance locations, archiving and georeferencing cave maps, creating polygon coverages of cave conduits, and a statewide sinkhole digitization project. …
Detection Of Iapetan Rifting (Rome Trough Tectonism) By Quaternary Karstification: Pulaski County, Kentucky, Lee J. Florea
Detection Of Iapetan Rifting (Rome Trough Tectonism) By Quaternary Karstification: Pulaski County, Kentucky, Lee J. Florea
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
No abstract provided.
Solute Transport Through Laboratory-Scale Karstic Aquifers, Lee J. Florea, Carol M. Wicks
Solute Transport Through Laboratory-Scale Karstic Aquifers, Lee J. Florea, Carol M. Wicks
Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.
Laboratory-scale models of branchwork and of network karstic aquifers were constructed to provide data needed for calibration of numerical models. The distribution and connectedness of the conduits and sinkholes were scaled similarly to those found in nature; however, the porosity of models (2 and 3%) and the recharge rate (80 cm/hr) could not be scaled appropriately. Pulses of 1-M NaCl were injected sequentially at ten locations on both models to determine transport parameters using QTRACER. For all experiments, the Reynolds numbers were <150, the Peclet numbers were >6, and the Froude numbers were ~0. The flow regime was laminar and subcritical and advective processes dominated …150,>