Abstract
Coastal lagoons are subject to anthropogenic sources of pollution that contribute to the deterioration of water quality and eventually to accelerating the natural eutrophication processes. The purpose of this research was to identify the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of the trophic state of the Bahía Santa María-La Reforma lagoon system and drains during four seasons, in relation to the discharge of effluents into the lagoon from the economic activities carried out by the population. Surface water samples were collected and temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a and nutrients concentration were measured and analysed to estimate the trophic index for the lagoon system. The trophic state in the mouths and within the lagoon system gradually changes from hypereutrophic conditions in the dry season, to mesotrophic during the rainy season with intermediate conditions during the transition seasons. However, the drains maintain hypereutrophic conditions regardless of the seasonal variation. The discharge of nutrients from economic activities such as agriculture and aquaculture, modify the trophic state in Bahía Santa María-La Reforma lagoon system, whereby some factors, including geomorphology, the presence of two mouths that connect with the sea and the tides, determine its hydrodynamics.
Published Version
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