No abstract

Karst aquifers are a major source of drinking water with intrinsic features that increase the pollution risk from anthropogenic and natural impacts. In Yucatan, Mexico, groundwater is the sole source of drinking water, also acting as receptor of untreated wastewater due to the low regional coverage of sewer systems. To protect karst groundwater, vulnerability methodologies are widely used. Worldwide, multiple karst vulnerability schemes have been developed and tested; however, none of these consider pollutant residence time or pollutant concentration as core parameters to estimate vulnerability. This work aims to define important considerations regarding the behavior of nitrates (NO3) in a real scenario, to be included in a new integrated vulnerability method. This work has two main objectives: to set up a groundwater model to depict as close as possible the groundwater behavior of the Yucatan karst system, and to introduce a transport model to estimate the behavior of a pollution plume. Model outcomes suggest that pollutants have a short residence time, reaching the coast in the north after 3 years. Well fields are also affected by pollution at variable NO3 concentrations. Results can be further discretized to establish a base and to include these parameters as part of a new integrated groundwater vulnerability approach.

Karst groundwater vulnerability maps are important tools for the development of groundwater management and protection strategies. However, current methodologies do not always match regional characteristics and parameter adaptations are necessary. In addition, other important processes such as dilution and aquifer residence time are not included in vulnerability analysis for the complications of evaluating two or more criteria simultaneously. The integrated karst aquifer vulnerability approach (IKAV) project aims to develop an integrated approach to include these parameters and estimate global change implications in current and future scenarios. As a first step, intrinsic vulnerability methodologies are studied in order to highlight important parameters and the congruence with regional characteristics of the Yucatan karst. Results demonstrate agreement between methods for the evaluation of high and very high vulnerabilities and their relation with fissures and dolines. Moderate vulnerabilities are assigned to more than 50% of the area. However, moderate vulnerabilities, assigned to the coastal area and the Southern hill, are highly questionable. Intrinsic features affecting moderate classes vary according to the method. Parameter sensitivity analysis and overlap analysis demonstrate the influence of depth to the unsaturated zone, soils, precipitation, and slope on moderate values. Therefore, such parameters must be re-evaluated and discretized according to the characteristics of the study area to match Yucatan regional characteristics.

Objetivo: analizar la forma en la que la innovación social (materializada en la organización de mujeres productoras de cacao) y los procesos de gobernanza territorial abonan al rescate de elementos sociales e identitarios del cacao. Lo mismo para la valorización de la participación femenina en la agricultura y a la búsqueda de alternativas para mejorar las condiciones de vida de estos actores en la región de Chontalpa en Tabasco, México. Metodología: se utilizó estudio de estudio de caso tomando como ejemplo a dos organizaciones de mujeres productoras de cacao, ambas lideradas y constituidas por mujeres originarias de la región de Grijalva en Tabasco. Los estudios de caso se conformaron a través de una decena de entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas a finales de 2019 tanto a productoras líderes como a diversas colaboradoras dentro de las organizaciones estudiadas. Resultados: las organizaciones productivas lideradas por mujeres son estrategias de innovación social que han tenido como resultado la agregación de valor al cultivo del cacao, el fortalecimiento de mecanismo colectivos de toma de decisión y la revalorización del trabajo y liderazgo femenino en el sector agroalimentario. Limitaciones: es necesario un análisis que incluya a más organizaciones lideradas por mujeres productoras de cacao en la región, y que permita conocer con mayor profundidad la relevancia que estas innovaciones sociales tienen para el territorio. Conclusión: estos casos de estudio representan fenómenos sociales y económicos que permiten poner en práctica el concepto de innovación social y en donde es posible identificar aquellos elementos y factores que impulsan vínculos de cooperación para la toma de decisiones y cooperación productiva que contribuye a mejorar las condiciones de las mujeres en las localidades agrícolas.

No abstract