Freshwater-Saltwater Interactions along the Atlantic Coast

A Regional Assessment of the Ground-Water Resources Program

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Saltwater Intrusion

Vertical movement of saline water in the Floridan aquifer system.

Fractures and other structural deformities in the Floridan aquifer system provide a hydraulic connection between the upper, freshwater zones and deeper, saline-water zones. Saline water flows upward through the nearly vertical structural features in response to ground-water pumping from the uppermost aquifer. (Figure modified from Spechler, R.M., 1994, Saltwater intrusion and quality of water in the Floridan Aquifer system, northeastern Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 92-4174, 76 p.)

Figure 2 -- Ground-water flow patterns in an idealized aquifer

Figure 3 -- Zone of dispersion in the Biscayne aquifer

Figure 4 -- Vertical movement (upconing) at a discharging well

Figure 5 -- Vertical movement of saline water in the Floridan aquifer system

For more Information, Contact
Paul Barlow, Coordinator Atlantic Coastal Zone Assessment U.S. Geological Survey 10 Bearfoot Road Northborough, MA 01532 (508) 490-5070
pbarlow@usgs.gov

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Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jan-2017 20:47:14 EST