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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 Jun 2015

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 Dec 2013

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 …


The Effects Of Evapotranspiration Upon Recharge Using The Stable Isotopes Of Oxygen And Hydrogen In The Carbonate Aquifers Of The Cumberland Plateau In Southeast Kentucky, Lee J. Florea Nov 2011

The Effects Of Evapotranspiration Upon Recharge Using The Stable Isotopes Of Oxygen And Hydrogen In The Carbonate Aquifers Of The Cumberland Plateau In Southeast Kentucky, Lee J. Florea

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

In this brief manuscript, we consider the variation of the stable isotopes of oxygen, δ18O, and hydrogen, δ2H, in samples collected during 2010 and 2011 from precipitation and shallow groundwater along the Cumberland Plateau of southeast Kentucky. These data from the 1,900-ha Redmond Creek karst aquifer lend insight into the source and timing of recharge to shallow groundwater in the epigenic karst of the U.S midcontinent. Specifically, we find that only 43% of precipitation remains as potential recharge after accounting for evapotranspiration, and 85% of this potential recharge occurs during only four two-week sampling periods. The isotopic composition of precipitation …


The Southeastern Coastal Plain: An Overview, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher Jul 2009

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 Jul 2009

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 Jul 2009

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).


The Biscayne Aquifer Of Southeastern Florida, Kevin Cunningham, Lee J. Florea Jun 2009

The Biscayne Aquifer Of Southeastern Florida, Kevin Cunningham, Lee J. Florea

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

In southeastern Florida, locally delineated, small, poorly explored caves and subtle karst are characteristic of the limestone that composes the unconfined Biscayne aquifer – one of the most permeable aquifers in the world. The main units of the Biscayne aquifer are the Fort Thompson Formation and Miami Limestone, both characterized by eogenetic karst.


Geology And Hydrology Of Karst In West-Central And North-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea Aug 2008

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 Jan 2008

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 Jan 2008

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 Jan 2008

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.


International, Cooperative Research In The Apuseni Mountains Of Western Romania, Lee J. Florea, Bogdan P. Onac Jan 2007

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 Jan 2007

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 …


The Karst Of West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea Aug 2006

The Karst Of West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

Caves, the cornerstone feature of karst aquifers, are little understood in Florida. This dissertation, which analyzes the morphology, elevation, lithologic setting, and hydrology of caves in west-central Florida, demonstrates that the karst of the unconfined Floridan aquifer differs from the paradigm view of karst presented in modern geology textbooks. The differences reflect setting: eogenetic (west-central Florida) vs. telogenetic (conventional).


Architecture Of Air-Filled Caves Within The Karst Of The Brooksville Ridge, West-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea Aug 2006

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 Jun 2006

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 Jan 2006

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 Jan 2006

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 Jan 2006

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 Aug 2005

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 Jul 2005

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 Jun 2004

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 Jan 2004

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 Jan 2004

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 Apr 2002

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 Jan 2002

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 Apr 2001

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 …


Karst Genetic Model For The French Bay Breccia Deposits, San Salvador, Bahamas, Lee J. Florea, John Mylroie, Jim Carew Dec 2000

Karst Genetic Model For The French Bay Breccia Deposits, San Salvador, Bahamas, Lee J. Florea, John Mylroie, Jim Carew

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

No abstract provided.