Florida Sinkholes Related to the Exploitation of Phosphate Range Southwest of Central Florida

Florida is often cited as the state with the most active development of the holes in the US. Certainly Florida contains many holes and Florida with the most active development of holes is southwest of central Florida. An area of ​​south-central Florida is known as the Peace River basin. Bone Valley takes its name from fossils found in phosphate mining sites in the open, where the dredgers were cut throughout history to reach the valuable phosphate matrix they seek.

Why do some form sinkholes?

Dredges are radically changing the landscape which in turn changes the hydrology of the natural movement of water. Sinkholes are known to form when natural drainage patterns change dramatically the way the phosphate strip mines to change the landscape. Drain formation is related to both the removal of surface material from a surface and the addition of materials to a new area. Pitting occurs when caves or underground caves collapse because of the surface activity. During the process of erosion, over time, large caverns and caves formed in subsurface Florida landscape. The enormous weight of material displaced by dragline makes empty caves collapsed.

Karst rock landscape of Florida and characteristics are known for over a hundred years. Karst landscapes are mentioned because of the hydrogeological characteristics of this type of landscape. Meaning, elected officials in Florida are aware of the sinkhole problems in the region, but do not want the phosphate industry penalized by serious environmental damage they cause.

The Department of protection of Florida's environment knows the phosphate industry is creating serious environmental impacts. Ken Huntington with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) said: "Although the wet grass areas can be restored, he argues, the phosphate companies (historically) have done a poor job of recovery of wetlands in the forest of mining and open pit. Modifies the topography, interfering with the natural flow of water. Wetlands adjacent to areas of high phosphate and dependent infiltration of these lands are slowly drying up. "

Mining is also criticized the state to slow the natural recharge rate of the Floridan Aquifer. "" We recommend that you plan to be denied, but we constantly rolled back in Tallahassee, "said DEP Environmental Specialist Allen Shuey." "

Here again we see the phosphate industry in Florida and elected officials in Florida give lip service to the public, strengthening its ecological advertising for the taxpayers of Florida. The FDEP can not do their job because the elected Florida's authorities do not want the public to hear about the environmental impacts caused by daily phosphate industry.

Mr. Jason Polk, a professor of geosciences at the University of Western Kentucky , a dip in the sources of Florida. Mr. Polk of underground caves in the counties of Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Marion. Just look for the truth, but phosphate industry and elected officials in Florida to use smoke and mirrors to give the illusion of the rehabilitation and recovery of Florida springs, aquifers and unique ecosystems. Unfortunately, this strategy works because little information on the phosphate industry is said to reside in a place in Florida.

Jeff Peterson, another avid cave diver, explored greatest sources in Florida and now has seen disturbing changes in Weeki Wachee Springs.

This information is discouraging because it is expected of their elected representatives to protect their interests, the environment and the future of the state. In this case, Florida authorities elected only protect the interests of the phosphate industry.

Serious environmental impacts

One of the worst holes caused by the industry took place in 1994 Cou¬nty Polk, Florida. The weight of a gypstack pressing, Florida soft ground can lead to disaster. The hole was estimated at 110 feet in diameter and 200 feet deep. In gypstack where developed abyss holds millions of gallons of toxic radioactive waste that have made this toxin directly into underground caves that lead to Florida aquifer systems. The impact of this disaster is unclear because little has been done in terms of research following the disaster. Mentioned earlier, in 1949, the state of Florida purchased 17 springs for your System State Park. In White Springs, Florida, groundwater pumping from a nearby phosphate mine drained as much water from the aquifer that spring has stopped its steady stream in the 1970s, the town of White Springs has lost residents spring and visitors stopped coming; then the city was bankrupt.


We can see that the Florida phosphate industry is causing serious environmental impacts, while the state of Florida did little in the way of applying the law of Florida. Meanwhile, taxpayers of Florida pay the cost of damage caused by the phosphate industry with their money and their health.

Reference

1. Assessment of cumulative impacts Peace River. South Florida Water Management District.
2. Peace River, Florida lose up to 11 million gallons per day, FDEP
3. Karst features and Hydrology in West Central Florida, USGS

Florida Mine your site to learn the practice unethical mining strip in Florida phosphate. See how they destroy and pollute unique systems of aquifers, watersheds, springs, creeks and rivers.