Another factor that most likely contributed to the large difference between the load of

nitrates and the yield is the affect of geology on the amounts and rates of nitrate intrusion in the

different areas of the springshed. While certain sources of nitrates might occur mainly in the

relatively protected, confined areas of the springshed, other sources might have more immediate

impacts in the unconfined areas of the Ichetucknee Trace. The application of nitrate from sources

such as the Lake City WWTF and septic tanks are typically constant and concentrated in a small

area, while the application of nitrates in the form of fertilizers are most likely seasonal and

relatively diffuse.

 There is also a significant time-lag that is not accounted for in this study, which only

considers the nitrate loads from 2006. While the loading occurred in 2006, the amount of time it

will take for that water to emerge in the springs is not really known, and could likely vary from

weeks in the Ichetucknee Trace to years in the confined areas in the northern regions of the

springshed. Water that was discharged years before this study was conducted could be having an

affect on the current level of nitrate in the springs and river. One of the largest assumptions this

study makes is the assertion that reducing loads from current sources will have a more or less

immediate impact on the water quality of the springs, which may simply not be the case.