Groundwater Contamination by Nitrates in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Pacheco, Alexia; Cabrera, S Armando

doi:10.1007/s100400050113

Cited by 67 publications

(43 citation statements)

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“…Notably, despite the smaller population and greater abundance of protected lands towards the south, anthropogenic impacts on freshwater resources and coastal environments may still exist in this section of the Peninsula from intense agriculture inland (Pacheco and Cabrera, 1997). Tourism on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula has increased four fold in recent years ( $ 1995-2005) …”

Section: Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and fluxes of submarine groundwater along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Null

Knee

Crook

et al. 2014

Continental Shelf Research

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a b s t r a c tSubmarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to the coastal environment along the eastern Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico was investigated using a combination of tracer mass balances and analytical solutions. Two distinct submarine groundwater sources including water from the unconfined surficial aquifer discharging at the beach face and water from a deeper aquifer discharging nearshore through submarine springs (ojos) were identified. The groundwater of nearshore ojos was saline and significantly enriched in short-lived radium isotopes ( 223 Ra, 224 Ra) relative to the unconfined aquifer beach face groundwater. We estimated SGD from ojos using 223 Ra and used a salinity mass balance to estimate the freshwater discharge at the beach face. Analytical calculations were also used to estimate wave set-up and tidally driven saline seepage into the surf zone and were compared to the salinity-based freshwater discharge estimates. ). Discharge at the beach face was in the range of 3.3-8.5 m 3 d À 1 m À 1 for freshwater and 2.7 m 3 d À 1 m À 1 for saline water based on the salinity mass balance and wave-and tidally-driven discharge, respectively. Although discharge from the ojos was larger in volume than discharge from the unconfined aquifer at the beach face, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was significantly higher in beach groundwater; thus, discharge of this unconfined beach aquifer groundwater contributed significantly to total DIN loading to the coast. DIN fluxes were up to 9.9 mol d À 1 m À 1 from ojos and 2.1 mol d À 1 m À 1 from beach discharge and varied regionally along the 500 km coastline sampled. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the beach zone as a significant nutrient source to coastal waters for future management strategies regarding nutrient loading to reef environments and coastal development. This study also identifies the importance of understanding the connectivity of submarine spring discharge to the nearshore coastal environment and the impact of inland anthropogenic activities may have on coastal health.

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Section: Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Composition and fluxes of submarine groundwater along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Null

Knee

Crook

et al. 2014

Continental Shelf Research

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“…Concentrations of Na + and Cl 2 decreased at the RC's edges (cenotes 1 to 4 in the west, cenotes 20 to 22 in the east) during the rainy season due to dilution from aquifer recharge, a phenomenon also reported in groundwater (Cabrera, 1986;Cabrera et al, 2002). Nitrate concentrations increased during the rainy season as pollutants were washed into the aquifer (Pacheco and Cabrera, 1997;Pacheco et al, 2001). The chemical and physicochemical characteristics of the cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula showed marked trends among seasons.…”

Section: Seasonal Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regionalization based on water chemistry and physicochemical traits in the ring of cenotes, Yucatan, Mexico

Pérez-Ceballos¹,

Pacheco-Ávila²,

Euán-Ávila³

et al. 2012

JCKS

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Assessing water quality in aquifers has become increasingly important as water demand and pollution concerns rise. In the Yucatan Peninsula, sinkholes, locally known as cenotes, are karst formations that intercept the water table. Cenotes are distributed across the peninsula, but are particularly dense and aligned along a semicircular formation called the Ring of Cenotes. This area exhibits particular hydrogeological properties because it concentrates, channels, and discharges fresh water toward the coasts. In this study, we identify spatial and temporal variations in chemical and physical variables at twenty-two cenotes to identify groups that share similar characteristics. Water samples from each cenotes were taken at three depths (0.5, 5.5, and 10.5 m) and during three seasons (dry, rainy, and cold-fronts season). Field measurements of pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen were taken, and the concentrations of major ions (K + , Na + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , HCO 3 ) were quantified. Identifying regions of the cenotes were done by applying multivariate statistical techniques (PCA, PERMANOVA, CAP). The chemical variables revealed spatial trends among the cenotes. We identified three main regions. Region 1 is associated with sea-water encroachment and high levels of sulfate that travel through preferential groundwater flowpaths from evaporites in the southern Yucatan Peninsula; Region 2 is a recharge zone, and Region 3 is characterized by sea water encroachment and by the high chemical and physical variability associated with groundwater flow from the east.

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“…However, the by-effect of the N fertilizer as a potential contaminant of groundwater is well known (Fried 1991, Rivers et al 1996, Oenema et al 1998, Sánchez-Pérez et al 2003, Basso & Ritchie 2005. Following its application, the N fertilizer undergoes a series of transformations in the soil and forms NO 3 -, which is a major valuable nutrient (Hignett 1985), but is susceptible to leaching through the soil by infiltrating water, thereby posing a potential risk to the environment, particularly to water bodies (Pacheco & Cabrera 1997, Satorre & Slafer 1999, Zhu et al 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer application rates on nitrate nitrogen distribution in saline soil in the Hai River Basin, China

Yin

Mao

2007

J Soils Sediments

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Conclusions. Nitrogen fertilizer application increased NO 3--N concentration and stock in 0-100cm soil profile and changed NO 3 --N distribution during maize cropping season. And nitrogen fertilizer application promoted movement of NO 3 --N down the soil profile and increased N loss. But effects of nitrogen fertilization application rate on above-ground dry matter production and grain yield were non-linear. Recommendations and Perspectives.A strictly controlled, site-specific, long-term fertilization study will be set up for the determination of biochemical processes of soil NO 3 --N and for the effective N fertilizer management of the saline soil areas. --N) accumulation is related closely to NO 3 -leaching, which is an important issue in groundwater pollution, especially in intensive agricultural areas with saline soils where volumes of water are used in irrigation to avoid salt accumulation in the root zone. However, in the saline environment in Hai River Basin, China, the importance of detailed research into NO 3 --N distribution in the root zone has not been adequately recognized. Considering the impacts of eco-environmental system N and crop production, the present study aimed at contributing to an understanding of the effects of N application rate on soil NO 3 --N distribution, NO 3 --N residue, N loss, and maize (Zea mays L.) yield in this region.

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Groundwater Contamination by Nitrates in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Cited by 67 publications

References 0 publications

Composition and fluxes of submarine groundwater along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Composition and fluxes of submarine groundwater along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Regionalization based on water chemistry and physicochemical traits in the ring of cenotes, Yucatan, Mexico

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer application rates on nitrate nitrogen distribution in saline soil in the Hai River Basin, China

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