The Geological Investigations Section of the Florida Geological Survey collects and interprets surface and subsurface geologic data to provide an understanding of Florida's three dimensional geologic framework. This knowledge is necessary to understand Florida's ecosystems, watersheds, aquifer recharge and protection, and effective environmental remediation. Research conducted by the Geologic Investigations Section includes statewide geologic mapping, reinterpretation of Florida's geomorphic features, aquifer-system framework delineation, and research in stratigraphy, geochemistry, karst, hydrogeology, mineralogy, sedimentology and paleontology. Other functions of the section include maintenance of the statewide sinkhole database and  Coastal Research. Since the initiation of the Governor’s Springs’ Initiative began in 2001, the Section has been heavily involved in the documentation and investigation of the State’s springs. The springs’ research resulted in the publication of FGS Bulletin 66 “Springs of Florida.” The Section is investigating swallets, places where streams enter sinkholes, that go underground and recharge the Floridan Aquifer System.

The Geological Investigations Section administers the FGS Geological Data Acquisition Program. This program acquires geological data and samples through auger and core-drilling supporting existing FGS research, such as the statewide mapping program (STATEMAP) and the research in the Everglades and Florida Bay. Several of these coring programs support other DEP programs such as the Division of Water Resource Management and Florida Parks. The Data Acquisition Program works with the U.S. Geological Survey on hydrogeology projects in various areas of the State. The FGS maintains a well cutting and core repository which currently contains more than 18,000 cores and sets of well cuttings. Geological Investigations staff describe the cores and cuttings archived in the FGS repository. The descriptions are entered into the FGS lithologic database, which presently contains more than 5,000 records. Cores, cuttings, lithologic descriptions and geophysical logs are an invaluable asset to the earth science community. This fundamental geologic data supports needs of more than one third of the programs in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Geological Investigations staff also act as consultants or co-investigators to other local, state and federal agencies.

The Coastal Research Program (CRP)is a sub-section of the Geological Investigations Section that is cooperatively funded by various Federal agencies including the U. S. Geological Survey, the Minerals Management Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The CRG was formed in 1991 in recognition of the need for geologic information to further our understanding of coastal processes, resources and fragile coastal ecosystems