Characterization of Flowpath Using Geochemistry and 87Sr/86Sr Isotope Ratios in the Yalahau Region, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract

The Yalahau region, located in the northeastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, hosts a series of elongated depressions trending north/south in the direction of Isla Holbox, identified as the Holbox Fracture Zone. Previous studies have explored the geomorphology and various hydrologic characteristics of the Yucatán Peninsula; however, there is a paucity of data concerning the interior region where the fractures are located. Strontium isotope ratios and major ion geochemistry data of the surface water and groundwater of this region serve as a hydrogeochemical fingerprint, aiding in constraining the hydrological boundaries, determining flow paths, and characterizing hydrogeochemical processes that impact the composition of the groundwater within the region. 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios indicate a different signature than the surrounding bedrock Sr ratio, suggesting that the flow throughout the Yalahau region is moving through channels faster than that of much of the Yucatán. Through major ion geochemistry and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios, we were able to delineate at least two flow paths within the Yalahau region and identify a point of saline intrusion at least 35 km from the coast. Gaining an understanding of the hydrogeochemistry and water flow regions is crucial in determining the impact of various activities (e.g., extensive tourism, drinking water withdrawal, wastewater discharge/injection) that occur within the Yucatán Peninsula.

Physical and Biogeochemical Characterization of a Tropical Karstic Marsh in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

“…Road tra c has been related to the production and deposition of dust with metals and elements related to engine combustion and tires wear (Adachi and Tainosho 2004, Aguilera et al 2018). The production of these residues, together with the preferential ow northward of the water (Perry et al 2002, McKay et al 2020, help explaining its presence only in one side of the road, partially supporting our hypothesis that the highway caused changes in the biogeochemistry of the marsh. We were not able to nd effects of the highway in the hydrology of the marsh, the similar ood level in both sides of the road suggest that there is not any apparent hydraulic cut so far.…”

“…The marsh is located in a pseudo-paludal environment (Fragoso-Servón et al 2019), the geological setting is a carbonate platform dominated by Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary calcites (INEGI 2009), the soil in the elevated land is mostly Leptsol; however, inside karstic depressions it can be Gleysol (Fragoso-Servón et al 2017. Tropical karstic marshes locally named sabanas are common landscapes of the Holbox Fracture Zone, characterized for wetlands established in solution depressions related to faults and fractures (McKay et al 2020). The marsh (north limit 20.977274° N, 87.418609° W; south limit 20.964197°N, -87.423740° W) is divided by a state highway in two sections, identi ed as north and south portions.…”

Hydrochemical Zoning and Chemical Evolution of the Deep Upper Jurassic Thermal Groundwater Reservoir Using Water Chemical and Environmental Isotope Data

“…The water chemical composition and especially environmental isotope signatures of δD, δ 18 O, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, 3 He/ 4 He, and 40 Ar/ 36 Ar in the thermal groundwater convey valuable information about the hydrochemical evolution of the groundwater system, water-rock interaction and groundwater recharge conditions, which can be used in the context of sustainable groundwater resource management [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In particular, the study and combination of these isotopic chemical parameters on groundwater in other important aquifer systems within deep sedimentary basins, such as the Parisian Basin, e.g., [15][16][17], Pannonian Basin, e.g., [8,18], or Baltic Artesian Basin, e.g., [19], led to the successful distinction between younger meteorically recharged and very old, partly highly saline fossil formation waters.…”

Analysis of sunscreens and antibiotics in groundwater during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

“… Saint-Loup et al (2018) describes Quintana Roo's aquifer as coastal, although groundwater flows northward toward the Gulf of Mexico in the Holbox Fracture Zone. McKay et al (2020) state the flow paths and rates through the Holbox Fracture Zone, a series of linear fractures running directionally north to south, are not well understood due to the complexities of the features.…”