Contaminants in the coastal karst aquifer system along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Metcalfe, Chris D.; Beddows, Patricia A; Gold-Bouchot, Gerardo; Metcalfe, Tracy L.; Li, Hongxia; Lavieren, Hanneke Van

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2010.11.031

Cited by 142 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…After considering general trends of increasing diversity over the four years of the study for three of the four sites, it may be both TAS and a diverse guild of macroalgae may continue to dominate the Akumal coral reef ecosystem. and water samples as tested for anthropogenic nutrients (Carruthers et al 2005, Baker et al 2007, Mutchler et al 2007, Metcalfe et al 2011. Only in 2010 did isotopic data from the bioassay of Acanthophora spicifera indicate a decrease in signature from source, which was corroborated with nitrogen content data.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 49%

“…Measurements of nitrogen, phosphorus and isotopic content of macrophytes, in addition to high epiphyte loads, indicate the high availability of anthropogenically derived nutrients to this ecosystem (Baker et al 2007, Mutchler et al 2007, Metcalfe et al 2011.…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Yucatan Peninsula is characterized by karstic geology, where stream flow of pollutants directly into the water is uncommon and groundwater is conducted from inland into the nearshore environment through submarine groundwater discharge. While most resorts have on-site wastewater treatment, many residences lack proper sewage disposal methods (Pacheco et al 2001) and groundwater is commonly contaminated with pollutants indicative of human waste (Baker et al 2010, Metcalfe et al 2011 Yal Ku Lagoon is 300 meters in length and turns sharply east before continuing 300 meters to the ocean entrance ( Figure 1). Within my study region, Thalassia testudinum and Gorgonia ventalina isotopic ratios, phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, as well as water quality of the underground cave system, indicate groundwater sources of nutrients and pollutants (Carruthers et al 2005, Mutchler et al 2007, Baker et al 2010, Metcalfe et al 2011.…”

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While most resorts have on-site wastewater treatment, many residences lack proper sewage disposal methods (Pacheco et al 2001) and groundwater is commonly contaminated with pollutants indicative of human waste (Baker et al 2010, Metcalfe et al 2011 Yal Ku Lagoon is 300 meters in length and turns sharply east before continuing 300 meters to the ocean entrance ( Figure 1). Within my study region, Thalassia testudinum and Gorgonia ventalina isotopic ratios, phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, as well as water quality of the underground cave system, indicate groundwater sources of nutrients and pollutants (Carruthers et al 2005, Mutchler et al 2007, Baker et al 2010, Metcalfe et al 2011. Previous research in Yal Ku Lagoon has documented decreasing δ 15 N of octocorals, and water column Enterococcus coliform bacteria, an organism indicative of human sewage, with increasing distance from the suspected lagoon spring source (Baker et al 2010).…”

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In karstic environments such as the Mexican Caribbean, fissures can create a diffuse delivery of nutrients into the environment rather than creating distinct point sources (Metcalfe et al 2011). The identification of the sources is important not only to the interpretation of nutrient data, but also to the management strategies developed to address the sources of these nutrients.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Herbivore and Nutrient Impact on Primary Producer Assemblages in a Tropical Marine Environment

Lacey¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Globally, human populations are increasing and coastal ecosystems are becoming increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stressors. As eutrophication and exploitation of coastal resources increases, primary producer response to these drivers becomes a key indicator of ecosystem stability. Despite the importance of monitoring primary producers such as seagrasses and macroalgae, detailed studies on the response of these benthic habitat components to drivers remain relatively sparse.Utilizing a multi-faceted examination of turtle-seagrass and sea urchinmacroalgae consumer and nutrient dynamics, I elucidate the impact of these drivers in Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In Yal Ku Lagoon, macroalgae bioindicators signified high nutrient availability, which is important for further studies, but did not consistently follow published trends reflecting decreased δ 15 N content with distance from suspected source. In Akumal Bay, eutrophication and grazing by turtles and fishes combine to structure patches within the seagrass beds. Grazed seagrass patches had higher structural complexity and productivity than patches continually grazed by turtles and fishes.v Results from this study indicate that patch abandonment may follow giving-up density theory, the first to be recorded in the marine environment. As Diadema antillarum populations recover after their massive mortality thirty years ago, the role these echinoids will have in reducing macroalgae cover and altering ecosystem state remains to be clear.Although Diadema antillarum densities within the coral reef ecosystem were comparable to other regions within the Caribbean, the echinoid population in Akumal Bay was an insufficient driver to prevent dominance of a turf-algal-sediment (TAS) state. After a four year study, declining coral cover coupled with increased algal cover suggests that the TAS-dominated state is likely to persist over time despite echinoid recovery. Studies on macroalgal diversity and nutrients within this same region of echinoids indicated diversity and nutrient content of macroalgae increased, which may further increase the persistence of the algal-dominated state.This study provides valuable insight into the variable effects of herbivores and nutrients on primary producers within a tropical coastal ecosystem. Results from this work challenge many of the currently accepted theories on primary producer response to nutrients and herbivory while providing a framework for further studies into these dynamics.vi Significant differences between winter and summer ungrazed samples were assessed with a student's t-test. Significant differences between summer ungrazed and turtle grazed were assessed with student's t-test (t-test) or Mann-Whitney t-test (M-W), depending on normality of data from the small sample size. Samples sizes are summer, winter: ungrazed (4, 11), fish grazed (0, 0) and turtle grazed (0, 4An additional driver is through herbivore grazing disturbance. In the absence of herbivory, areas experiencing high nutrient loads would be expected to shif...

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 49%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Herbivore and Nutrient Impact on Primary Producer Assemblages in a Tropical Marine Environment

Lacey¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Salt intrusion at a submarine spring in a fringing reef lagoon

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Variations in discharge and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) were studied at a point-source submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), within a fringing reef lagoon, from quadrature (neap) to syzygy (spring) tides. The principal factors affecting discharge and TKE variations were tides and waves. Field data indicated discharge, and TKE varied with high and low tides, and with quadrature and syzygy. Maximum discharge and TKE values were observed during low tides when the hydrostatic pressure over the jet was minimal, while the lowest discharge and TKE values were found at high tides. Syzygy tides produced consistent saltwater intrusion during high tides, while quadrature tides produced the greatest TKE values. In general, as the discharge intensified during low tides, jet temperatures decreased suggesting that waters originated further within the aquifer. At the same time jet salinities increased, suggesting a mixing of aquifer and seawater. To reconcile these two seemingly opposing views, it is proposed that the jet conduit is connected to a stratified chamber with seawater below brackish water. The greatest subtidal discharge occurred during quadrature tides. Syzygy produced low subtidal discharge driven by flow reversals (flow into the aquifer) observed throughout syzygy high tides in conjunction with the peak wave setup (>5 cm) observed during a storm. While tides were the primary driving force of the discharge, waves played a nonnegligible role. Wave effects on the discharge were most evident during syzygy high tides combined with a storm, when the subtidal spring discharge was weakest and salt intrusion developed.

show abstract

Genetic structure, origin, and connectivity between nesting and foraging areas of hawksbill turtles of the Yucatan Peninsula: A study for conservation and management

Labastida‐Estrada

Machkour‐M’Rabet

Díaz‐Jaimes

et al. 2019

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1. Anthropogenic activities have resulted in declines in many marine turtle populations. Their complex life cycle (e.g. female philopatry, hatchling migration, adult movements between breeding and foraging areas) makes it difficult to fully understand some of the biological implications of human impacts on their populations, but genetic tools can play a major role in understanding population dynamics and thus improve conservation and management strategies. 2. Using the mitochondrial DNA control region, this study examines the composition, population structure, and connectivity between rookeries and foraging aggregations, in addition to their relationship with Atlantic rookeries and foraging areas of the hawksbill turtle in the Yucatan Peninsula. 3. Haplotype composition of rookeries showed EiA22, EiA39, and EiA41 as endemic haplotypes and revealed a segregation between the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan and Quintana Roo rookeries, defining two management units. Foraging aggregations present 15 haplotypes, some common for Atlantic and others for Mexican rookeries. Considering the Gulf of Mexico versus the Mexican Caribbean, significant population genetic structure was revealed, inferring a differential recruitment of hawksbill turtles. 4. Rookery-centric mixed-stock analysis reveals a high contribution of Mexican turtles to local foraging aggregations, principally in the Gulf of Mexico. Foraging-groundcentric mixed-stock analysis showed that the Gulf of Mexico foraging aggregation is predominantly composed of individuals from local rookeries, whereas Mexican Caribbean foraging groups have a mixed composition with individuals from Barbados, Brazil, and Puerto Rico rookeries. The connectivity between rookeries and foraging aggregations suggests that the ocean currents and swimming behaviour influence the distribution of hawksbill turtles. 5. Our results highlighted the importance in identifying management units in nesting and foraging areas to develop monitoring and management programmes at

show abstract

Contaminants in the coastal karst aquifer system along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Cited by 142 publications

References 41 publications

Herbivore and Nutrient Impact on Primary Producer Assemblages in a Tropical Marine Environment

Herbivore and Nutrient Impact on Primary Producer Assemblages in a Tropical Marine Environment

Salt intrusion at a submarine spring in a fringing reef lagoon

Genetic structure, origin, and connectivity between nesting and foraging areas of hawksbill turtles of the Yucatan Peninsula: A study for conservation and management

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About