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Cave Diving Documents Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Variability in a Phreatic, Karst Cave System
Mahnoor Kamal1, Patricia Spellman1, Sunhye Kim1
1School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620.
Ground Water
|July 31, 2025
Summary
Cave diving reveals complex water quality variations in karst aquifers, showing how land use impacts groundwater. This method helps pinpoint recharge zones for better water management.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Karst aquifers exhibit complex groundwater flow due to secondary porosity.
- Urban and agricultural land use can introduce contaminants, complicating natural water quality signals.
- Traditional sampling methods may miss significant water quality heterogeneity in karst systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document spatial and temporal water quality variations in a phreatic cave system within the Floridan Aquifer System (FAS).
- To utilize cave diving for detailed water quality assessment, improving understanding for water resource management.
- To identify recharge pathways and the influence of land use on groundwater quality.
Main Methods:
- Conducting cave diving expeditions in a phreatic cave system.
- Collecting continuous 15-s measurements of dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and specific conductance along a 1.1 km transect.
- Gathering discrete water chemistry samples for nutrients, organic matter, and major ions at various locations, including the spring vent.
Main Results:
- Specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH showed consistent spatial variations, indicating direct recharge zones.
- Nitrate-nitrite (NOx-N), dissolved oxygen, and dissolved organic carbon exhibited the most significant spatial and temporal variability.
- Positive correlation between specific conductance and NOx-N, and negative correlation with carbonate-associated ions, suggest agricultural land use impacts.
Conclusions:
- Phreatic cave systems display intricate water quality patterns influenced by recharge and land use.
- Cave diving provides valuable insights into groundwater heterogeneity, aiding in the interpretation of discrete sampling data.
- Findings offer guidance for water quality restoration efforts and future studies in similar karst environments.
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