One reason for the dilemma of Florida spring degradation is that, until recently, no one thought to track flow rates, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and algae growth or the “chemical of the water” in the springs of Florida.

The scientific community incorrectly considered these variables to be stable, so the chemistry of the spring water was not controlled. It is now known that these variables naturally fluctuate in a regular cycle. The natural fluctuation of these variables is consistent with the health of the spring in question (1). That is, when any of the variables differs from normal ranges, the entire aquatic ecosystem associated with the spring is also degraded.

Abnormal growth of algae in a spring indicates that the spring is in poor condition, including the aquifer that supplies it and the ecosystem in and around the spring. Algal growth in the spring and aquifer system may indicate a higher than average concentration of phosphorus or nitrogen nutrients (contaminants) (4). Both of these contaminants are found in many of Florida’s springs in higher-than-average concentrations.

Springs showing abnormal algae growth are directly related to the health of the springs and can also be toxic to humans. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has reported more than 140 algae-related cases involving humans. The FDEP now mandates limits based on the concentration (mass/volume) of nutrients (contaminants) in spring water.

It appears that nitrogen-based pollutants attract more media attention than phosphorous-based pollutants. The media focus is usually based on complaints about the leaching of livestock manure and nitrogen-based fertilizers, from runoff, being absorbed by the landscape and then absorbed by local springs and aquifer systems.

Phosphorus-based pollutants are just as deadly to Florida’s spring and aquifer systems as nitrogen-based pollutants. (3) These pollutants also come from livestock and crop production, but phosphorus-based pollutants can also come from other sources, such as phosphate strip mining and mining facilities.

FDEP published a maximum standard for concentrations of phosphorous, one of the primary contaminants of concern in state springs. The standards are used to set benchmarks for the amount of phosphorous found in springs for the protection of Florida’s state aquatic ecosystems. Privately owned springs and ecosystems are the responsibility of their owners and are not regulated by the state of Florida. You can see that Florida officials at FDEP now regulate state springs and aquatic ecosystems to keep water quality in an acceptable range.

Counties and the state of Florida issue mining permits to the phosphate industry that “permit” the complete removal and destruction of aquifer systems and springs, which the phosphate industry considers to be waste material or overburden. Historically, Florida phosphate industry practices “show” little concern for Florida’s aquatic ecosystems.

Since the early 20th century, the land of West Central Florida has been “stripped” of its natural beauty by phosphate rock just below the surface. Florida’s scarred surface, caused by massive draglines in and around Polk County, is just one facet of the destruction of Florida’s natural resources on a whim.

Another problem concerns natural hydrogeological formations succumbing to the dragline for total annihilation. This topic of the total destruction of hydrogeological formations does not receive much attention and should receive more.

All the truth

The Florida phosphate industry is not telling the whole truth about reclaiming existing former mine sites. The search for the valuable phosphate matrix is ​​carried out by stripping it “fully” and “completely” from the surface of the earth to a depth of fifty to one hundred feet. The phosphate dragline burrows through aquifer systems, crushing and disposing of its own stock. An entire local hydrogeological system (3) now does not do what nature intended: store clean fresh water.

You can see that Florida’s phosphate industry practices are detrimental to Florida’s unique natural ecosystems. The phosphate industry cannot remediate springs and aquifers on an acre-by-acre basis as described by Florida law, simply because the technology to do so does not exist.

However, phosphate industry officials reinforce their claims for full land reclamation as seen in local television commercials and other media. Phosphate officials publish reports of the complete reclamation of land related to former mining sites in specific localized areas. I know because I also see your commercials. The recovery promoted by the phosphate industry does not include springs and aquifer systems, because these aquatic systems take thousands of years to form in nature.

Claim phase?

I remember riding motorcycles on abandoned mine sites in the 1970s. The mined “pits” left by the phosphate industry were close to my house when I was young. The abandoned sites I frequented as a youngster had no visible enclosures, confinement, containment, or warning signs. We used to drive into abandoned mine shafts, straight off a public road without a break and unload our bikes and ride miles into abandoned shafts. The remains of mining seemed as barren as a lunar landscape. Unfortunately, I didn’t know there were toxic materials in these dumps, including heavy metals, piled up in highly concentrated mounds.

If you live in the West Central Florida area, I challenge you to see for yourself. If one lives in this area, the drive to see the “real” phosphate industry will be a very short drive. One will see the phosphate industry from a different point of view. The sites mentioned above were numerous, neglected, and still toxic to humans.

The phosphate mining industry in Florida shows many signs of environmental impacts, including abnormal algae growth (2) in Florida’s aquifers and springs, abandoned toxic mine sites, and too few reclamation projects to mention.

Reference
1. Biologist Jim Heffernan, postdoctoral researcher and professor at Florida International University
2. The vanishing springs in Florida | Tampa Bay Time
3. Southwest Florida Water Management District
4. The journey of water. Florida Springs.com