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The Peculiar Hydrology of West-Central Florida’s Sandhill Wetlands, Ponds, and Lakes—Part 1: Physical and Chemical Evidence of Connectivity to a Regional Water-Supply Aquifer

  • Wetland Hydrology and Geomorphology
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Abstract

The sandhill wetlands, ponds, and lakes of west-central Florida, USA, are an understudied, poorly understood variant of geographically isolated features. Their karst origin and xeric setting impart a characteristic ecohydrology, which has been attributed to their apparent connectivity to a regional water-supply aquifer. This study uses physical and geochemical hydrologic data to provide evidence of this connectivity. The findings presented here debut these rare features, which advances their fundamental understanding at a time when increasing anthropogenic pressures risk further loss and degradation. From these findings, the hydrologic nature of sandhill wetlands, ponds and lakes is characterized, which may be useful in distinguishing them from others with different hydrologic controls and for identifying features of similar connectivity, karst or otherwise, wherever they may be found. Water levels and/or geochemistry were compared for 12 wetlands, five ponds, two lakes, and 12 monitor wells (10 constructed in limestone, two in surficial sand) in west-central Florida. Hydrograph and regression analyses indicate similar widely ranging water levels (2–5 m) for sandhill features and wells that are both analogous in elevation and highly correlated with each other (0.84 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.99). Sandhill feature geochemistry also reflects that of the monitor wells, varying relative to the depth of the rainwater-limestone water mixing zone. Findings here suggest sandhill wetland/water features are surface water expressions of the underlying unconfined regional aquifer hydrology, distinguishing them from isolated features elsewhere and establishing them as a groundwater endmember along the hydrologic continuum.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Mark Morgan, PE, and the Hernando County Utilities Department who, by way of a subcontract from WSP USA, Inc., provided funding for the monitoring of wetlands during this study and to Jeffrey Trommer, PG, for the inspiring hydrogeologic dialogue during this time. Gratitude to Dr. Zachary Atlas and the University of South Florida (USF) Center for Geochemical Analysis Laboratory for ion analyses and to Jessica Wilson and the USF Stable Isotope Lab for isotope analyses. Additional thanks to the USF students who assisted during the field and/or laboratory sampling: Tim Fallon, Dr. Hilary Flower, Laura Lotero, and Dana Noble. Funding for laboratory analyses was provided in part by the Fred L. & Helen M. Tharp Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Funding

Funding for the monitoring of wetlands during this study was provided by the Hernando County Utilities Department by way of a subcontract from WSP USA, Inc. Funding for laboratory analyses was provided in part by the Fred L. & Helen M. Tharp Endowed Scholarship Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EcoHydrologix LLC, PO BOX 3526, Spring Hill, FL, 34611-3526, USA

    ReNae S. Nowicki

  2. University of South Florida School of Geosciences, 4202 E, Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, FL, 33620-5550, USA

    Mark C. Rains & Matthew A. Pasek

  3. Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2379 Broad St, Brooksville, FL, 34604, USA

    Jason J. LaRoche

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  1. ReNae S. Nowicki
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Contributions

MR and RN contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and field data collection were performed by RN, MR, and JL. MP provided geochemical review and analytical support. The first draft of the manuscript was written by RN, with support from JL and MR. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to ReNae S. Nowicki.

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Nowicki, R.S., Rains, M.C., LaRoche, J.J. et al. The Peculiar Hydrology of West-Central Florida’s Sandhill Wetlands, Ponds, and Lakes—Part 1: Physical and Chemical Evidence of Connectivity to a Regional Water-Supply Aquifer. Wetlands 41, 113 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-021-01493-8

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