Water quality assessment in the Mexican Caribbean: Impacts on the coastal ecosystem

摘要: Abstract Coastal zones are dominated by economically important ecosystems, and excessive urban, industrial, agricultural, tourism activities can lead to rapid degradation of those habitats resources. Groundwater in the Eastern Yucatan Peninsula coastal aquifer discharges directly into ocean affecting coral reefs, which part Mesoamerican Coral Reef System. The composition impacts groundwater were studied at different environments around Akumal (SE Peninsula). Radium isotopes salinity used quantify fresh recirculated seawater contributions zone. Excess Ra distribution suggests spatially variable discharge rates submarine groundwater. High NO3− levels high coliform bacteria densities indicate that is polluted some sites. Dissolved phosphorous content elevated winter during season, likely released from untreated sewage sediments under reducing conditions.