Calcite raft geochemistry as a hydrological proxy for Holocene aquifer conditions in Hoyo Negro and Ich Balam (Sac Actun Cave System), Quintana Roo, Mexico

Kovacs, Shawn E.; Reinhardt, Eduard G.; Chatters, James C.; Rissolo, Dominique; Schwarcz, Henry P.; Collins, Shawn; Kim, Sang‐Tae; Blank, Alberto Nava; Erreguerena, Pilar Luna

doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.09.006

Cited by 27 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…At El Zapote cenote, the halocline is about 10 m thick (Fig. 3a) in comparison to a transition zone thickness of 1-5 m of other cenotes of Quintana Roo (Kovacs et al, 2017b;Stoessell et al, 1993). The constant decrease of DIC, sulfide and orthophosphate below about 40 m water depth indicates a sink of these chemical species into depths greater than the cenote (> 54 m water depth).…”

Section: Limnological and Hydrological Conditions In El Zapote Cenotementioning

confidence: 92%

“…These cave systems developed predominantly by the interaction of glacioeustasy, littoral processes and mixing-zone hydrology during glacial periods of the Pleistocene (Smart et al, 2006;Weidie, 1985). Precipitation rapidly infiltrates through the porous limestone into the underlying coastal aquifer consisting of a meteoric water mass, the freshwater lens above a saline water mass intruding from the coast (e.g., Kovacs et al, 2017a). The thickness of the freshwater lens varies between ∼ 10 and 100 m and is generally thinner towards the coast (Beddows et al, 2002), while seawater intrudes up to 100 km inland (Beddows et al, 2007).…”

Section: Geological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The halocline separates the meteoric and marine water bodies and is usually characterized by undersaturation with respect to CaCO 3 , leading to cave formation and conduit enlargement in the coastal carbonate aquifer (Back et al, 1986;Gulley et al, 2016;Mylroie and Carew, 1990;Smart et al, 2006). The depth of the halocline increases with distance from the coast (Bauer-Gottwein et al, 2011); areas closer to the coast show a higher salinity of the freshwater lens than inland areas (Kovacs et al, 2017b). The position of the halocline is also dependent on global sea level and the thickness of the freshwater lens.…”

Section: Geological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increase in saltwater in the lowermost freshwater and the turbid layer could result from increased salinity of the freshwater body during droughts. Furthermore, turbulences induced by a halocline elevation as a reaction to recharge events could increase the salinity of the lowermost freshwater body (Kovacs et al, 2017b). Minor mixing of the water bodies would be sufficient to increase the concentrations of Sr, Mg, Ba and decrease δ 13 C-HCO − 3 in the turbid layer, as seen at El Zapote.…”

Section: The Role Of Halocline Elevation In Hells Bells Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Subaqueous speleothems (Hells Bells) formed by the interplay of pelagic redoxcline biogeochemistry and specific hydraulic conditions in the El Zapote sinkhole, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

et al. 2019

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Abstract. Unique bell-shaped underwater speleothems were recently reported from the deep (∼ 55 m) meromictic El Zapote sinkhole (cenote) on the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. The local diving community has termed these speleothems as Hells Bells because of their shape and appearance in a dark environment in ∼ 28–38 m water depth above a sulfidic halocline. It was also suggested that Hells Bells form under water, yet the mystery of their formation remained unresolved. Therefore, we conducted detailed hydrogeochemical and geochemical analyses of the water column and Hells Bells speleothems including stable carbon isotopes. Based on the comprehensive results presented in this study we deduce that both biogeochemical processes in the pelagic redoxcline and a dynamic halocline elevation of El Zapote cenote are essential for Hells Bells formation. Hells Bells most likely form in the redoxcline, a narrow 1–2 m thick water layer immediately above the halocline where a pelagic chemolithoautotrophic microbial community thrives from the upward diffusion of reduced carbon, nitrogen and sulfur species released from organic matter degradation in organic-rich debris. We hypothesize that chemolithoautotrophy, in particular proton-consuming nitrate-driven anaerobic sulfide oxidation, favors calcite precipitation in the redoxcline and hence Hells Bells formation. A dynamic elevation of the halocline as a hydraulic response to droughts, annual tidal variability and recharge events is further discussed, which might explain the shape of Hells Bells as well as their occurrence over a range of 10 m water depth. Finally, we infer that highly stagnant conditions, i.e., a thick halocline, a low-light environment and sufficient input of organic material into a deep meromictic cenote are apparent prerequisites for Hells Bells formation. This might explain their exclusivity to only a few cenotes in a restricted area of the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula.

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Section: Limnological and Hydrological Conditions In El Zapote Cenotementioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Geological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geological Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Role Of Halocline Elevation In Hells Bells Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Subaqueous speleothems (Hells Bells) formed by the interplay of pelagic redoxcline biogeochemistry and specific hydraulic conditions in the El Zapote sinkhole, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

et al. 2019

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“…Before the inundation of the cave by postglacial sea-level rise, the ochre miners used one of three surface entry points, Entrada Pu'bix, Entrada Sagitario, or Entrada Kilix Pach-Och (Fig. 1C) (1,7,21,22). All mining activity is located well into the dark zone of the cave.…”

Section: Downloaded Frommentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleoindian ochre mines in the submerged caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

MacDonald

Chatters²,

Reinhardt

et al. 2020

Sci. Adv.

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Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evidence for human presence during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Skeletal remains are scattered throughout the caves of Quintana Roo, most representing individuals who died in situ. The reasons why they explored these underground environments have remained unclear. Here, we announce the discovery of the first subterranean ochre mine of Paleoindian age found in the Americas, offering compelling evidence for mining in three cave systems on the eastern Yucatán over a ~2000-year period between ~12 and 10 ka. The cave passages exhibit preserved evidence for ochre extraction pits, speleothem digging tools, shattered and piled flowstone debris, cairn navigational markers, and hearths yielding charcoal from highly resinous wood species. The sophistication and extent of the activities demonstrate a readiness to venture into the dark zones of the caves to prospect and collect what was evidently a highly valued mineral resource.

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Evidence for decreased precipitation variability in the Yucatan Peninsula during the mid-Holocene

Marks

Medina‐Elizalde

Burns

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The Yucatán Peninsula (YP) harbors diverse ecosystems, including the Mesoamerican barrier reef and tropical rainforests, and has been inhabited by Maya societies for thousands of years. Biological systems and human societies in the region developed under limited surface and groundwater availability and have therefore been vulnerable to hydroclimate extremes. Under future climate warming scenarios, the YP is projected to receive less wet season precipitation compared to current precipitation (Karmalkar et al., 2011). The important role of hydroclimate variability in shaping the past, present, and future of human societies and

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Calcite raft geochemistry as a hydrological proxy for Holocene aquifer conditions in Hoyo Negro and Ich Balam (Sac Actun Cave System), Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cited by 27 publications

References 60 publications

Subaqueous speleothems (Hells Bells) formed by the interplay of pelagic redoxcline biogeochemistry and specific hydraulic conditions in the El Zapote sinkhole, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Subaqueous speleothems (Hells Bells) formed by the interplay of pelagic redoxcline biogeochemistry and specific hydraulic conditions in the El Zapote sinkhole, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Paleoindian ochre mines in the submerged caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Evidence for decreased precipitation variability in the Yucatan Peninsula during the mid-Holocene

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