The Geology of theThe Geology of theWakulla Springs BasinWakulla Springs Basin

Harley Means, P.G.FDEP,

Florida Geological Survey

Springs related to karst areas.

Wakulla Spring Springshed

What kind of karst features exist in the What kind of karst features exist in the basin??basin??

• Karst lakesKarst lakes

• SwalletsSwallets

• SinkholesSinkholes

• Shallow Shallow depressionsdepressions

• CavesCaves

• ConduitsConduits

• SpringsSprings

Photo by: Wes Skiles

• Lake JacksonLake Jackson

• Lake IamoniaLake Iamonia

• Lake MiccosukeeLake Miccosukee

Karst LakesKarst Lakes

Porter Sink 2-03

Porter Sink 9-03

Ames Sink - Swallet

Fisher Creek Drain

Photo By B. Means

• Numerous Numerous sinkholessinkholes

Church Sink

Blue (GREEN) SinkPhoto by R. Means

Emerald Sink

Big DismalPhotos by B. Means

Photo by R. Means

Shallow karst depressions

Photo by R. Means

Gopher Sink

Photo by B. Means

• Wakulla conduitsWakulla conduits

Cave/conduit at Wakulla

Photo by: T. Scott

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9N

itra

te m

g/l

Wakulla Spring

Wakulla Spring Nitrate Concentration

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

Sep-0

1

Oct-

01

Nov-0

1

Dec-0

1

Jan-

02

Feb-02

Mar

-02

Apr-0

2

May

-02

Jun-

02

Jul-0

2

Aug-0

2

Sep-0

2

Oct-

02

Nov-0

2

Dec-0

2

Jan-

03

Feb-03

Mar

-03

Apr-0

3

May

-03

Jun-

03

Jul-0

3

Aug-0

3

Sep-0

3

Oct-

03

Nov-0

3

Dec-0

3

Jan-

04

Sample Date

To

tal N

O3

+ N

O4

(mg

/l)

Series1

(Chelette, Pratt & Katz, 2002)

Questions??