Journal Article
Review: the Yucatan Peninsula karst aquifer, Mexico
Bauer-Gottwein, P., Gondwe, B.R.N., Charvet, G., Marin, L., Rebolledo-Vieyra, M. and Merediz-Alonso, G.
Record Number:
3471
Year:
2011
Journal:
Hydrogeology Journal
Pages:
507-524
Volume:
19
Abstract:
Abstract The Yucatán Peninsula karst aquifer is one of
the most extensive and spectacular karst aquifer systems
on the planet. This transboundary aquifer system extends
over an area of approximately 165,000 km2 in México,
Guatemala and Belize. The Triassic to Holocene Yucatán
limestone platform is located in the vicinity of the North
American/Caribbean plate boundary and has been
reshaped by a series of tectonic events over its long
geologic history. At the end of the Cretaceous period, the
Yucatán Peninsula was hit by a large asteroid, which
formed the Chicxulub impact crater. The Yucatán Peninsula
karst aquifer hosts large amounts of groundwater resources
which maintain highly diverse groundwater-dependent
ecosystems. Large parts of the aquifer are affected by
seawater intrusion. Anthropogenic pollution of the aquifer
has been increasing over the past few decades, owing to
relentless economic development and population growth
on the Peninsula. This review summarizes the state of
knowledge on the Yucatán Peninsula karst aquifer and
outlines the main challenges for hydrologic research and
practical groundwater-resources management on the
Peninsula.
Times Cited:
2