Evidence for groundwater and surface marine water contamination by waste disposal wells in the Florida keys

摘要: Abstract One of the methods for domestic wastewater disposal in Florida Keys is injection partially treated into highly porous limestone bedrock using waste or wells. In an effort to understand transport and fate wastewater, we utilized bacteriophages as tracers a 12.2-m deep, simulated well Key Largo active (27.4 m deep) class V Middle Keys. The latter currently permitted type used multi-unit Surface waters groundwater at several sites were monitored 5 days after seeding both environments, viral appeared short periods time (8 h injection) surface marine (10 53 Keys, respectively). Estimated rates tracer movement greatest (2.5–35 m/h), where tidal pumping was implicated movement. pattern showed little evidence pumping, migration slower (0.12–2 m/h). Collectively these results indicate that injected subsurface can make its way rapidly waters, it may contribute water quality deterioration.