The Karst Systems of Florida ― Understanding Karst in a Geologically Young Terrain

This book discusses the geology, hydrogeology, and water quality/geochemistry of karst systems in geologically young terrain, using the state of Florida as an example. Also discussed are sinkhole-development models; sinkhole risk; eogenetic karst features developed in rocks as young as 125,000 years and as old as 65 million years; and karst landscapes of Florida, including regional geology and geomorphology with important examples of karst features, such as springs, sinkholes, caves, and other karst landforms. The eogenetic karst of Florida is largely covered and this book extensively discusses the interactions of karst processes with sand- and clay-rich cover materials.

Dr. Sam B. Upchurch, P.G. has spent 50 years teaching and conducting research in karst geomorphology and geochemistry, for which he is internationally known. He is also an expert in the application of statistics to geological problems, design of sampling plans, and engineering geology. He is the author of over 200 articles and chapters in books, and has edited several published collections of papers. He is a Senior Fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and has received numerous awards for his research and service to the geological community. He is a former Professor and Chairman of the Geology Department at the University of South Florida (USF) and, more recently, has served as a partner and principal in two international consulting firms (Environmental Resources Management and SDII Global Corporation [SDII]). Prior to joining the faculty at USF he taught at Michigan State University and served as a Research Physical Scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes Research Center in Detroit, MI. He was appointed to serve on Florida’s first Board of Professional Geologists and is licensed to practice in Florida and Tennessee.

Dr. Thomas M. Scott, P.G. has spent more than 40 years investigating the geology of Florida and the southeastern United States including lithostratigraphy and karst. Dr. Scott was formerly the Assistant State Geologist of Florida for geological investigations and is the acknowledged expert on Florida geology. He is an author of over 200 papers, including several of the most important monographs and books on Florida geology, stratigraphy, and springs. Dr. Scott is a Fellow of the GSA and has received many awards for his research and service to the professional community. After retiring from the Florida Geological Survey, he has served as a Senior Principal Geologist for SDII. Currently, Dr. Scott is a Professional Geologist III (part time) with the Florida Geological Survey investigating the link between large storms/rain events and sudden sinkhole collapse. Dr. Scott has served on the Florida Board of Professional Geologists and is licensed to practice in Florida.

Michael C. Alfieri, P.G., P.Hg., CGWP, is a professionally licensed geologist in twelve states, including Florida, and a nationally certified/registered hydrogeologist. Mr. Alfieri currently manages the operation of hydrogeological services for Water Resource Associates, LLC (WRA) in Tampa, Florida. As a Principal Hydrogeologist at WRA, he provides: geologic, hydrogeological, and karst science interpretation and evaluations; consumptive/water use permitting assistance; alternative water supply solutions; groundwater flow modeling; and expert witness services. Mr. Alfieri has extensive experience and knowledge in the area of karst hydrogeology and evaluating karst hydrogeological systems. He conducted and/or managed the design of many hydrogeological investigations and the collection of field data for water resource evaluations across the United States over his career, as well as providing third party reviews of hydrogeological evaluations. Mr. Alfieri is currently the Chair of the Florida Board of Professional Geologists and currently the Chairman of ASTM Sub-Committee D18.21.03: Well Design, Maintenance & Construction.

Dr. Beth Fratesi is an expert in coastal karst science and groundwater modeling. She managed hundreds of subsidence investigations at SDII and is currently a Research Scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, creating groundwater models for use as management tools in highly impacted aquifer systems such as the karstic Edwards Aquifer of Texas. She is author to numerous papers on karst science, the philosophy of geology, and geologic education.

Dr. Thomas L. Dobecki, P.G. is an internationally known consulting geophysicist with numerous publications and presentations to his credit. He has worked in diverse locations and on high visibility projects worldwide and has recently retired from SDII Global Corporation. Dr. Dobecki was formerly an Associate Professor of Geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines and worked for the Sandia National Laboratory. Much of his career has been as a consultant in Texas, Colorado, California, and Florida. Most recently he served as Principal Geophysicist for SDII where he was responsible for developing and improving geophysical techniques for sinkhole investigation. Since retirement, Dr. Dobecki is Principal of Dobecki Geosciences, LLC. Dr. Dobecki is a former President of the Near Surface Geophysics Section of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. He is licensed to practice in Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Georgia.