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BY: Chris Roth

Sinkholes: A Direct and Rapid Conduit for Surface Water to Groundwater The Importance of Sinkholes to Groundwater Sanitation in Karst Environments. BY: Chris Roth. Purpose. To show the importance of sinkholes Review methods of study Review possible solutions for sinkhole contamination.

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BY: Chris Roth

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  1. Sinkholes: A Direct and Rapid Conduit for Surface Water to Groundwater The Importance of Sinkholes to Groundwater Sanitation in Karst Environments BY: Chris Roth

  2. Purpose • To show the importance of sinkholes • Review methods of study • Review possible solutions for sinkhole contamination

  3. Why Care? • Protect the planet • 25% of earths water is from karst aquifers • 10-15% of earth is classified as karst • Land usage planning Image from State of Florida Hydrology Department

  4. What is a Sinkhole • natural depressions formed by the removal of subsurface soil and rock • Like a funnel • Common in karst areas – soft limestone bedrock Photo by D. Buffington

  5. Image from State of Florida Hydrology Department

  6. Sinkhole Effects(lack of filtration) No sinkhole • Direct route for surface water to ground water • Little if any natural filtering • Fast spreading mechanism With a sinkhole Images from University of Florida Hydrology Department

  7. Sinkhole Effects(spreading mechanism) • Tracer testing showed spreading of 1-3 miles within a few hours • The same study was done in a non-karst landscape and showed spreading of under 1 mile within half a day.

  8. Groundwater Sensitivity • vulnerability of groundwater to contamination • Taditional: rock type and water table elevations • Karst: traditional + Sinkhole distribution Image provided by: BGSU graduate student Ryan Dickerson

  9. Sinkhole Distribution MappingMan vs. GIS • Man – handcount as compared to past maps of sinkhole distribution • GIS (Geographic information systems) – can be set to automatically count sinkholes based on specific parameters of what constitutes a sinkhole • While a GIS program takes longer to create, once created counts can be done in a quarter of the time it takes to manually count.

  10. GIS problems • Conversion errors - vector to raster • Simplification errors – the “zoom effect” • Fake peaks and dips • Satellite imaging errors

  11. Map created by Dr. Chris Parker

  12. Solutions to Sinkhole Contamination(Sinkhole Filter) • concrete plug, perforated PVC pipe wrapped in filter fabric extending through the plug, crushed rock to fill in, then soil and grass cover • In one study fecal caliform was reduced up to 96% • Sediment related contaminants (phosphorus and some pesticides) • NOT FOR SOLUBALE CONTAMINANTS Picture from AFSRC

  13. Solutions to Sinkhole Contamination(Nutrient Management) • Common • First, sample and test water • Then, chemically treating imbalances of contaminants in the water Photo from US Water Quality Department

  14. Conclusion • Sinkholes must be understood • allows for contaminants to rapidly enter and spread throughout the groundwater • 3D GIS may help create better hydrologic models and increase understanding • Steps must be taken to preserve out Groundwater • Filters, nutrient management, and good conservation efforts

  15. Image from New York Times Occurred in Daisetta, Tex. May 8, 2008

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