The environmental impact of human activities on the Mexican coast of the Gulf of Mexico: review of status and trends

Abstract

The Mexican coastal zone of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (CZGMC) is an important source of ecosystem services related to biodiversity, biological productivity, and nutrient balance. This region contains more than 50% of national wetlands, near 6,000 km 2 of coastal lagoons, 24 estuaries, and the most extensive areas of coral reef in Mesoamerica. These habitats holds more than 8,500 species of marine invertebrates and fishes, 328 species of birds, 29 species of marine mammals, and share 5 out of the 11 species of current marine turtles. Its biological productivity ranges 100-2000 mg C m 2 d-1. Biodiversity and natural productivity in the CZGMC are connected to the integrity and health of coastal habitats. This paper analysed the main ecological features and the socioeconomic indicators for this region. Using GIS tools, census data, and geographic databases we compiled information from the last 30 years to assess anthropogenic impact sources, and determine trends on levels of pollution in coastal environments. Oil industry, tourism, fisheries, marine transportation, cattle ranching, and agriculture are the main economic activities on the CZGMC, which contribute more than 16% of the Mexican GDP. The current population on the six Mexican estates that border the Gulf is more than 17 10 6. One third of this population live within a narrow corridor of three km from the coastline. Within this area, human activities have cleared 65% of natural vegetation, causing the direct loss of habitats, which leads to a reduction of biodiversity. Also, the coastal population in this area produce near 1 10 6 t y-1 of solid waste and about 1,500 10 6 m 3 of wastewater, which have led to water quality deterioration.

Did Declining Carrying Capacity for the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Population Within the Gulf of Mexico Contribute to the Nesting Setback in 2010−2017?

“…Although the details are outside the scope of this article, there is widespread evidence of long-term alteration and degradation of the GoM ecosystem prior to 2010 (Peterson et al 2011;Walker et al 2012;Yasuhara et al 2012;Karnauskas et al 2013;Shepard et al 2013;Benitez et al 2014;Davis 2017;Hu et al 2017;Scavia et al 2017;Ward 2017). In addition, exponentially increasing numbers of neritic Kemp's ridleys (both sexes combined) may have contributed to a reduction in per capita availability of Kemp's ridley natural prey and scavenged discarded bycatch from shrimp trawling prior to 2010 (Gallaway et al 2016b;Shaver et al 2016b).…”

Determination of heavy metals in blood of nesting Kemp’s Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) at Rancho Nuevo sanctuary, Tamaulipas, Mexico

“…Kemp's ridleys face multiple threats induced by environmental contamination present in the Gulf of Mexico caused by hydrocarbons, organochlorine compounds, carbamates, solid waste, pharmaceuticals, macro and microplastics and heavy metals [27][28][29][30][31]. Heavy metals are of particular concern due to the dominant anthropogenic activities in the region [32,33]. These include fertilizer production, mining, and oil refining.…”

Acid rain in a Mexican site on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico

“…The acid deposition effects on several types of potentially sensitive receptors along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico have become a topic of research, including receptors such as lakes, rivers, forests, soils, and materials from monuments of cultural heritage. It includes those found in the Mayan Zone, the archaeological zone of El Tajín and the San Juan de Ulúa fortress, all of which were built out of limestone, a material especially susceptible to deterioration by acid rain (Schifter et al, 2005;Bravo et al, 2006;Benítez et al, 2014).…”