Lane (2001) proposed that the flow from Lost Creek contributed to the discharge of Spring Creek Springs via an unverified conduit system similar to the verified conduit system that
contributes flow to Wakulla Spring. In order to investigate this hypothesis two separate dye trace studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at Lost Creek swallet. Fluorescent dye was pumped
by a peristaltic pump through tubing anchored below the surface of the water (15 meters in 2008 and 27 meters in 2009) directly into the throat of the Lost Creek swallet. Dye tracer
sampling was conducted within the study area at select karst windows that had confirmed conduit access 38 meters to 68 meters below land surface. Sampling was also conducted at Wakulla
Spring and Spring Creek Springs. Sampling at the karst windows was accomplished via pumps, timers and tubing to ensure that water samples were acquired from water within the conduits. In
preparation for the 2009 Lost Creek swallet dye trace an array of water level elevation stations were established at seven selected karst windows along a north-south transect through the
study area. The 2008 dye trace confirmed that flow from Lost Creek swallet contributed to discharge at Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Spring. The velocities for first detection at Spring
Creek Springs and Wakulla Spring were 2,235 m/d and 255 m/d respectively. These linear velocities confirmed a conduit connection between Lost Creek swallet, Spring Creek Springs and
Wakulla Spring. The 2008 trace also confirmed detections at Revell Sink, a karst window, equidistant between Lost Creek swallet, Wakulla Spring and Spring Creek Springs. The 2009 dye trace
confirmed that flow from Lost Creek swallet contributed to the discharge at three separate spring vents in the Spring Creek Springs with linear velocities of 248 m/d to 313 m/d. In 2009
tracer detections confirmed conduit connections at Revell Sink and Punchbowl Sink (two karst windows) along the water level elevation monitoring transect. The combined results of the 2008
and 2009 tracer tests confirmed that Lost Creek swallet and Spring Creek Springs are an extension of the Leon Sinks – Wakulla Spring cave system. The water level elevation data
demonstrated reversals of the hydraulic gradient and reversals of groundwater flow between Wakulla Spring and Spring Creek Springs. Statistical analysis of the water level elevation data
at the karst window stations revealed two primary groups of behavior among the karst window stations. The analysis also revealed behavior that supports the conclusion that during negative
discharge conditions at Spring Creek Springs the karst windows stations responded as if they were connected to a unified conduit system. Whereas, during positive flow conditions at Spring
Creek Springs the karst windows stations revealed water level elevation behavior that indicated there may be two sets of conduits that together form a basin wide unified conduit
system. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science in partial fulfillment of the Master of Geology. / Fall Semester 2015. / November 5, 2015. / Conduits, Dye Tracing, Karst, Spring Creek Springs, Wakulla Springs, Woodville Karst Plain / Includes bibliographical references. / Steven Kish, Professor Directing Thesis; William Parker, Committee Member; Ming Ye, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_291277 |
| Contributors | Dyer, Scott Barrett (authoraut), Kish, Stephen A. (professor directing thesis), Parker, William C., 1952- (committee member), Ye, Ming (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (242 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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