Herrera-Silveira, J. A., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, jherrera@mda.cinvestav.mx
Morales, S. M., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, smorales@mda.cinvestav.mx
Merino, F. M., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, fmerino@mda.cinvestav.mx
Ramirez, J. R., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, jramirez@mda.cinvestav.mx
Osorio, I. M., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, iosorio@mda.cinvestav.mx
Alvarez, C. M., CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Merida, Merida, Mexico, cynthia@lochsloy.org

GROUNDWATER INFLUENCES THE ECOLOGICAL COASTAL CONDITIONS IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA (SE, MEXICO)

The north cost of Yucatan peninsula (SE, Mexico) is characterized to receive groundwater as the main freshwater source, however the way as it discharges (diffuse and point source as marine springs) and differences in human impacts along the 400 km of coast, could favored spatial differences in the water quality conditions as well as the phytoplankton and submerged aquatic vegetation structure. For these, the objective of this study was to identify the ecological condition of the Yucatan State cost, according to water quality variables, eutrophic assessment, submerged aquatic vegetation changes and harmful phytoplankton species richness. The results indicate that the coast could be divided in ecological sub-regions according to local forcing functions as nutrients concentrations from groundwater, currents intensity and Cabo Catoche upwelling influence. The trophic condition assessment showed zones from oligo-mesotrophic status until a zone which experiences symptoms of initial eutrophication.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:089
Date: 03-06-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30