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 to provide or recommend effective environmental remediation, where necessary. 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, mineralogy, sedimentology and paleontology. Other functions of the section include maintenance of the statewide Subsidence Incident Reports, coastal studies, and geochemical research.

   The Geological Investigations Section administers the FGS Geological Data Acquisition Program and Sample Repository. This program acquires geological data and samples through auger and core-drilling supporting existing FGS research, such as the statewide Geological Mapping Program (STATEMAP), which recently completed a project near Ocala. Several of the coring programs support other DEP programs such as the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration and Florida Parks.  The 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 19,000 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 a valuable asset to the earth science community. These fundamental geologic data support the needs of more than one third of the programs in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Geological Investigations staff also acts as consultants or co-investigators to other local, state and federal agencies.

The Coastal Research Program (CRP) is a subdivision 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 CRP was formed in 1991 in recognition of the need for geologic information to further our understanding of coastal processes, resources and fragile coastal ecosystems.

The Geochemistry Program is a relatively new program. Over the past several years, it has spent much of its time evaluating how surfacewater injection into our aquifers affects water chemistry. As an example, the program discovered that injection of surfacewater, under certain conditions, releases trace metals, in small quantities, from the aquifer matrix material into the groundwater. It is currently evaluating the sources and the fate of those metals.