Analysis of hydrobiological responses to anthropogenic and natural influences in a lagoon system in the Gulf of California

Abstract

Abstract The hydrological characteristics and the rate of organic matter supply from coastal lagoons help to understand their responses to nutrient input by anthropogenic and natural sources. The aim of this study was to determine the hydrologic and trophic status of the El Rancho-Empalme lagoon system in a semiarid region in the Gulf of California, Mexico. This lagoon system consists of two geomorphological subsystems which are affected by nutrient inputs from shrimp farm effluents and coastal upwelling. Sampling was conducted over the course of one year and included measurements of temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, surface water grab samples to analyze nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll a. The trophic status was assessed using the TRophic IndeX (TRIX). The subsystems El Rancho and Empalme had a similar hydrological behavior throughout the year, reflecting a good exchange of water, materials and energy. The TRIX index showed oligotrophic state during spring, summer and autumn, and a mesotrophic state in winter. Nutrient inputs from shrimp farm effluents were not responsible for trophic status increases, however, coastal upwelling in the region plays an important role in the growing rate of seasonal supply of organic matter to these coastal lagoons.