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In the early 1990s, a
small oil boom began in Edmonson County, Kentucky. Oil production continues and a number
of wells have been drilled on properties adjacent to the southwestern edge of Mammoth Cave
National Park. Besides being the world's longest cave, Mammoth Cave is one of the premier
"reference" caves for understanding cave and karst systems. In January of 1997,
a well fitting ruptured, spilling over 2,000 liters of crude oil that flowed on the
surface into the park. Only a quick and coordinated effort prevented the oil from sinking
into, and contaminating, the primary karst aquifer. This spill highlighted the potential
threat posed by these wells, and demonstrated the need for a better understanding of the
karst hydrogeology of this region of the park, to better prepare for future threats
associated the numerous oil wells and other petroleum facilities.
In order to prepare for potential threats in the area, scientists and students of WKU's
Hoffman Environmental Research Institute and the National Park Service are cooperating in
the development of a geographic information system (GIS) database which depicts the
hydrogeology, oil well location data, karst features, access roads, and in particular,
surface and subsurface flow routes adjacent to these oil facilities. This database will
then be distributed to the various agencies, organizations, and emergency response
personnel, including a summary map for use in the field during emergency responses, and to
better plan and coordinate future efforts.
Arthur Project Team: David Ek, Bill Curry, Jonathon Schwer, Shane Fryer, Chris Groves, and Alan Glennon
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