The quality of the Florisbad spring-water in relation to the quality of the groundwater and the effects of rainfall

The spring-water. groundwater and rainfall were examined as pan of a study to determine aspects of the environment in which faunal remains at Florisba d were fossilised. A 1988 analysis of the Florisbad spring and exploration pit-water showed a 27% higher TDS in the pit-water after a high rainfall pe riod, despite the two being located only 22 m apart. An extended qualitativ e water-sampling programme in 1999 confirmed a difference, but in this inst ance the TDS of the same exploration pit was 49% lower than that of the spr ing-water after a low rainfall period. This was contrary to the norm where high recharge usually results in low TDS and low recharge results in high T DS. Results also showed extreme TDS variations of up to 6 times higher betw een individual pit-waters 54 m apart. The fluctuation in the quality of the pit-water, in relation to the stable spring-water, led to the conclusion t hat the two should be separate entities. it was further concluded that the mineralisation of the pit-water originated either directly, or indirectly, from a source other than the spring-water. Long-term rainfall appears to ha ve only a slight effect on the quality of the spring-water and possibly no effect on the quality of the pit- water, while shore-term rainfall appears to have little effect on the spring-water quality, but has a decided influe nce on the pit-waters. Aspects relating to water quality and water monitori ng at Florisbad are discussed and a comprehensive historic record of the sp ring-water quality and composition is also given. Investigations on the ori gin/s of the groundwater mineralisation are continuing. The results clearly indicate that the spring-water does not currently carry sufficient mineral isation for fossilisation.