Abstract
The Ring of Cenotes (RC) extends along the edge of the Chicxulub crater, in the limestone platform of the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), where groundwater shows two preferential flow paths toward the coast near Celestun and Dzilam Bravo towns. The objectives of this study were to describe the regional hydrogeochemical evolution of the groundwater in the RC, and its association with the dissolution/precipitation of the minerals present along its pathway to the ocean. These objectives results were obtained by: (a) characterizing groundwater hydrogeochemistry; (b) calculating calcite, dolomite, and gypsum saturation indexes in the study area; and (c) developing a hydrogeochemical model using PHREEQC (U. S. Geological Survey) inverse modelling approach. The model predictions confirmed that there are two evolution pathways of the groundwater consistent with the preferential flow paths suggested in a previous regionalization of the RC. On the western path, where groundwater flows towards Celestun, marine intrusion influences the hydrogeochemical processes and represents a risk for the freshwater. On the eastern path, where groundwater flows toward Dzilam Bravo, rainfall has an important effect on the hydrogeochemical processes, evidenced by a higher concentration in sulfates during droughts than during rainy periods. Then, monitoring of marine intrusion and phases dissolution in the RC is highly recommended.
Highlights
Karstic aquifers represent about 20% of the Earth’s surface, and they are formed by the dissolution of carbonate rocks [1,2,3]
Coastal aquifers are often the main source of freshwater for human coastal settlements. They have a strong interaction with the sea, and their equilibrium depends on both natural hydrological forces and anthropic activities [4,5]. Carbonate aquifers, such as the one in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), show different karstification levels depending on the dominant carbonate rocks dissolution process [6]
Marine influence was stronger in Celestun as compared to Dzilam Bravo
Summary
Karstic aquifers represent about 20% of the Earth’s surface, and they are formed by the dissolution of carbonate rocks [1,2,3]. Coastal aquifers are often the main source of freshwater for human coastal settlements They have a strong interaction with the sea, and their equilibrium depends on both natural hydrological forces (such as the hurricanes) and anthropic activities (such as groundwater extractions) [4,5]. Carbonate aquifers, such as the one in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), show different karstification levels depending on the dominant carbonate rocks dissolution process [6]. The YP aquifer shows characteristic karstic manifestations connected with groundwater (sinkholes, locally named cenotes) and does not exhibit surface runoff [7]. RC is an important karstic zone which influences the regional groundwater flow path in YP
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