Esterson, K. A., ERI, Sanford, USA, kris_esterson@yahoo.com

SALINITY PROFILES IN A SUBTERRANEAN ESTUARY IN QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE AND SEAWATER INDUCTION

This article summarizes the findings of several field investigations into a coastal mixing zone aquifer in the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula by cave-diving scientists. Divers equipped with data-logging multi-parameter probes completed a series of salinity profiles along transects that began offshore and ranged to 14km inland. These profiles were designed to provide a high resolution 3-D map of the mixing zone morphology. The salinity profiles revealed mixing patterns similar to those found in traditional estuaries and described in classic papers on estuarine classification and function (Hansen and Rattray, 1966; Pritchard, 1967). The effect of physical mixing is the flux of significant volumes of seawater across the principal interface and into the mixed zone. The water balance of the mixing zone is poorly quantified except at a limited number of locations. However, preliminary results indicate that the mixing produces an inward flow of water from the Caribbean Sea inland to the mixing zone. In contrast to submarine groundwater discharge, this effect moves seawater from offshore in to the terrestrial aquifer. This effect is referred to as seawater induction.

Poster presentation

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