By 
One reason for Florida’s spring degradation dilemma is that, until recently, no one thought to monitor flow rates, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and algae growth or “Water Chemistry” in Florida Springs.
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 fluctuate naturally 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 the normal ranges, the entire aquatic ecosystem associated with the spring is also degraded.
Abnormal algae growth 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. Algae growth in the spring and aquifer system may indicate an above average concentration of phosphorus or nitrogen nutrients (pollutants) (4). Both of these contaminants are found in many of Florida’s springs at above-average concentrations.
Springs that show 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 requires limits based on the concentration (mass/volume) of nutrients (contaminants) in the 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 livestock manure and nitrogen-based fertilizers leaching out of runoff, which is absorbed by the landscape and then absorbed by local springs and aquifer systems.
Phosphorus-based contaminants are just as deadly to Florida’s spring and aquifer systems as nitrogen-based contaminants. (3) These contaminants also come from livestock and crop production, but phosphorus-based contaminants can also come from other sources, such as phosphate strip mining and mining facilities.
The FDEP published a maximum standard for concentrations of phosphorus, one of the main contaminants of concern in state springs. The standards are used to set benchmarks for the amount of phosphorus 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 “allow” the complete removal and destruction of spring and aquifer systems, which the phosphate industry views as overburden or waste materials. Historically, the practices of the Florida phosphate industry “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 damaged acreage, caused by massive draglines in and around Polk County, Florida, is just one facet of the destruction of Florida’s natural resources on a whim.
Another problem concerns the natural hydrogeological formations succumbing to the dragline for total annihilation. This issue 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 reclamation of existing old mine sites. The search for the valuable phosphate matrix is accomplished by stripping it “totally” and “completely” from the earth’s surface to a depth of fifty to one hundred feet. The phosphate dragline digs through aquifer systems, grinding up and removing its very existence. An entire local hydrogeological system (3) now does not do what nature intended: store clean fresh water.
You can see that the practices of the Florida phosphate industry are detrimental to Florida’s unique natural ecosystems. The phosphate industry cannot reclaim springs and aquifers on an acre-for-acre basis as described by Florida law, simply because the technology to do so does not exist.
However, phosphate industry officials are bolstering their claims for full land reclamation as seen in local TV commercials and other media outlets. Phosphate officials publish reports of full land reclamation associated with former mining sites in specific localized areas. I know because I also see their commercials. Industry-driven phosphate reclamation 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 mining sites in the 1970s. The mined “pits” abandoned by the phosphate industry were near my home when I was young. The abandoned sites I frequented as a youth had no visible enclosures, confinement, containment, or warning signs. We used to drive into abandoned mine shafts, straight off a public road with no rest and unload our bikes and ride for miles inside the abandoned mine shafts. The remains of the mining seemed as barren as a lunar landscape. Unfortunately, I was unaware that toxic materials existed 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 algal growth (2) in Florida 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