Late Holocene mangrove development and onset of sedimentation in the Yax Chen cave system (Ox Bel Ha) Yucatan, Mexico: Implications for using cave sediments as a sea-level indicator

摘要: Abstract This study examines the relationship between flooding of cenotes and formation coastal mangrove with Holocene sea-level rise onset aquatic sedimentation in Yax Chen, a cave system Quintana Roo on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Sediment depth measurements (n = 180) were collected along 2.7 km an underwater passage three cores radiocarbon dated to examine both extent timing cave. Basal ages (~ 4 Ka) for sediments show that flooded cenotes, creating sunlit open water conditions associated mangroves upper karst surface. These initiated abundant widespread Cenote surface area controlled long-term sediment accumulation passages through primary productivity areas cenotes. was enhanced formation, which causes funneling precipitation nutrient-rich waters into from mangroves. Accumulation histories radiocarbon-dated (n = 3) compared previously published studies including Actun Ha, Mexico Green Bay Cave (GBC), Bermuda.