Biscayne Aquifer Hydrogeologic Framework and Flow Zones

A 1998-2005 study by the U.S. Geological Survey and South Florida Water Management District provides a hydrogeologic framework for the Biscayne aquifer. The dataset integrates approximately 60 miles of ground-penetrating radar profiles, cyclostratigraphy, and analysis from 50 test coreholes. It characterizes candidate groundwater flow zones and porosity distribution within the aquifer's karst limestone.

Use Cases

• Map hydrogeologic unit depths and karst features using GPR profile data and borehole geophysical logs.
• Characterize depositional environments and porosity by analyzing lithology, rock fabric, and paleontological data from coreholes.
• Identify potential groundwater flow zones by integrating heat-pulse flowmeter data with digital borehole image data.
• Delineate low-permeability zones within the aquifer using cyclostratigraphic analysis and corehole descriptions.

Strengths

• Integrates data from approximately 60 miles of ground-penetrating radar profiles.
• Based on detailed analysis from 50 continuously drilled test coreholes.
• Combines multiple data sources: GPR, cyclostratigraphy, borehole logs, cores, and paleontology.

Limitations

• Data collection concluded in 2005, potentially limiting relevance to current aquifer conditions.
• Specific sample size (rows) and file formats are unknown.
• Geographic scope is limited to the Lake Belt area of north-central Miami-Dade County.

Provenance

Source

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).

Collection Method

Field study using ground-penetrating radar, cyclostratigraphy, borehole geophysical logs, continuously drilled cores, and paleontological analysis.

Time Range

Study initiated in 1998; data reflects work through 2005.

Freshness

Last updated in 2005; static dataset from a completed study.

Geography

Lake Belt area of north-central Miami-Dade County, southeastern Florida, USA.