Journal Article
The effect of seasonal rainfall on nutrient input and biological productivity in the Yax Chen cave system (Ox Bel Ha), Mexico, and implications for μXRF core studies of paleohydrology
McNeill-Jewer, C.A., Reinhardt, E.G., Collins, S., Kovacs, S., Chan, W.M., Devos and LeMaillot, F.C.
Record Number:
4390
Year:
2019
Journal:
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
Abstract:
Lakes and speleothems from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula have been used extensively over the past decades
for paleoclimate studies, however aquifer condition and its response to climate change has received little
attention. Cenotes (sinkholes) and coastal caves have been shown to record the paleohydrology of the aquifer,
but there is little information on sedimentation in these cave systems and its response to climate change. Newly
developed μXRF instrumentation for the analysis of cores can achieve subannual resolution due to small
measurement increments, but short period studies examining weathering inputs and rainfall have not yet been
undertaken, hindering paleoenvironmental interpretations of lake and cave sediment records. This study
examines the spatial and temporal relationship of cave sediment geochemistry in the anchialine cave system of
Yax Chen (Quintana Roo, Mexico). Sediment traps (n = 51) were placed at seventeen stations along the 2.7 km
flooded cave system, which transitions from mangrove to upland forest terrain, with cenotes of variable size and
frequency along its length. Sediment traps were collected every ~ 6 months from May 2013 - May 2017 along
with rainfall and groundwater level data. There are distinct responses of lithogenic (Fe, Ti, Sr - limestone
weathering) and biogenic influenced (Si, K, S - phytoplankton and mangrove sediment) elements in the sediment
samples associated with seasonal rainfall and hurricanes. While lithogenic elements (Ti/K) show a direct
relationship seasonal rainfall, the sedimentation of biologically influenced (Si/Ti) elements exhibit a 6-12 month lagged response with large rainfalls such as Hurricane Ingrid in 2013 and other tropical storms throughout the
study period.
Times Cited:
3