Karst of the Floridan Aquifer System

Karst features within the Floridan Aquifer System can be classified according to whether they recharge the aquifer, discharge from the aquifer, or conduct water through the aquifer. Karst features serving as recharge points to the Floridan Aquifer System are scattered throughout the semi-confined and unconfined aquifer, essentially one below every sinkhole. The vast majority are inaccessible. Most have small or sediment-filled openings to the surface. The potentiometric surface is not deep below the surface anywhere in Florida; therefore, most conduits are currently under phreatic conditions. Fluctuating sea-level positions clearly affect the potentiometric surface in portions of the unconfined Floridan Aquifer System. Evidence of lower water table periods comes in the form of speleothems in conduits beneath the present-day water table.