Edwards Plateau Aquifer Kathryn Matthews University of Phoenix

Through time and the history of the Earth, many events have shaped the land and regions we all, as humans, know so well. One thing is certain, without the resources of our planet home, we would not survive. The natural resources of, air, plants and animal life for food, water, Sunshine, and the Earth and land, we are able to live and breed to continue onward. In this presentation, the element of water resources will be explored and given a voice and praise. We will look at one water source, in particular, the Edwards Plateau Aquifer. This Aquifer developed over millions of years’ time, to be the faithful water supplier we all know in Texas. The water is naturally cycled through limestone and still needs some treatment after it has been in the ground in this matrix of limestone rock beneath. This water supplies many towns and cities in the region and spans thirteen counties. It is fed by rivers, creeks, and tributaries along the distance (Eckhardt, 2011). Because of the cracks, faults, fractures, sinkholes, and caves, the rivers and streams too, can be contaminated carrying the pollutants to the recharge zone, therefore it must be checked often for quality control. The Edwards Aquifer Authority, along with other groups, like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Geological Survey, monitor the aquifer for anything toxic which can cause illness or diseases to ensure safe water is supplied through the wells the aquifer services every day (Edwards Aquifer Authority, 2006). Of course there are all kinds of rocks and rock formations included in the geologic make-up of the Edwards Plateau, but the primary types of rocks involved are limestone and sandstone, both sedimentary rocks, but also calcium carbonate and dolomite rocks are present. These rocks filter the water as it goes through them to the huge reservoir under the ground. But what keeps the whole thing circulating; the aquifer is subject to the same things as any water source is, runoff to the strata layer which include granite, and other igneous rocks, or lava which is also very porous in nature bringing the environmental discharge back into the cycle. Once water has evaporated and formed clouds, rain brings the water back into the ground, and the process begins again (Abuzeineh & Tice, 2010). Water changes the surface of rocks, and weathering and erosion bring sediments into the strata layer, heat and pressure cause the rock to change into metamorphic rock. This land has taken millions of years to form, and all the time has developed a diverse ecosystem, some species found nowhere else on Earth. Species include fish, invertebrates, coyotes, and many insects (Fries, Gibson, and Harden, 2008). And many forms of life depend on the aquifer to live, from cattle, and domestic livestock, to the many trees and scrubs in the area, to lizards, turtles, coyotes, and many more species. The habitat must be protected by mankind, we must practice conservation in order to not jeopardize the existence of the many species that make the Edwards region their home, and it’s up to us as stewards of the land, to ensure their survival. So to maintain the aquifer in good condition to supply water to so many, we must also care for the environment as well (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2007). It has taken over one hundred million years to develop this marvel of geologic greatness, known as the Edwards Plateau Aquifer (The Nature Conservancy). The fossil records of this region give us examples of creature from the Cretaceous period and fossils dating back to 100 million years ago, this tells us how old the region is, and gives us an idea of the timeframe of the development of this natural wonder. Below the surface and along the fault lines, there are steep walled canyons holding the water elements of the aquifer. Also caves are in the region with many geological structures formed by time and minerals in the water deposits. The Balcone fault is where the activities that formed the aquifer took place all so many millions of years, in the process, forming the caverns, sinkholes, crevices, and limestone so porous to allow not only water to seep through, but also store the precious resource too. This has made the Edwards Plateau Aquifer one of the largest underground collections of water in the state of Texas. This fault is an up and down or staircase, a karst landscape approximately 180 miles in length (Edwards Aquifer Authority, 2006). The ancient ocean as it receded left behind the fossils of many creatures including Protoplankton, that eventually layered and formed bedrock, sediments collecting at the bottom of water ways and brought to the locations where they were joined with other sediments, also brought by weathering and erosion, through heat and pressure forming limestone. Weathering played a major role in the formation of the Edwards Plateau. Water erosion, created the porous layer of limestone that holds vast amounts of water, and minerals within the Aquifer, broke down rock carrying away sediment that filters water as it travels down into the ground (Edwards Aquifer Authority, 2006). Metamorphic and harder rock, such as dolomite rock, also keeps the water contained. Making this wonder the vessel it is today. The benefits of the Edwards Plateau Aquifer are appreciated by nearly two million people, and livestock and ranchers depend on it to survive in this arid region of Texas, but conservation of this resource is every ones responsibility. It took millions of years to form, but wastefulness and pollution can take many millions of years to recuperate from as well. Along with enjoying the water supplied by this aquifer, we must take care of it as if it were a member of our own family. Even though our homes are getting closer to the landscape that the aquifer stands upon, we can still take care of the habitat in a loving and caring way to make it last many years into the future.

Reference Page:
Abuzeineh, A., & Tice, P., (2010) SMCISD Field Guide Series #2, the Edwards Aquifer & the San Marcos River
Eckhardt, G., (July, 2011) Hydrogeology of the Edwards Aquifer, the Edwards Aquifer Website
Edwards Aquifer Authority, (2006) the Edwards Aquifer; Understand, Conserve, Protect
Fries, J., Gibson, J., and Harden, S., (2008) Survey and Distribution of Invertebrates from Selected Springs of the Edwards Aquifer in Comal and Hays Counties, Texas
Hill, R. & Vaughan, T.,(ND) Geology of the Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plain Adjacent to Austin and San Antonio, Texas, with Reference to the Occurrences of Underground Waters.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (2007) Edwards Plateau Ecological Region