Thesis
Hydrodynamics of the Yucatan peninsula carbonate aquifer: surface flow, inland propagation and mixing
Coutino, A.
Record Number:
5336
Year:
2021
Pages:
148 pages
Abstract:
This thesis is a collection of three investigations into the hydrodynamics and hydrogeology
of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The first investigation models potential mangrovegroundwater
interactions as a box model. We use field sensor data to calculate various
parameters and use the model to show that the proposed mangrove
ooding mechanism
can reproduce the observed effects. The second investigation reports on tidal oscillations
detected within far inland water bodies of the Yucatan Peninsula. The tidal records were
verifed using null hypothesis testing. This result has major implications for the region as it
indicates that previously thought to be isolated water bodies are in fact directly connected
to the grater aquifer and thus the ocean. The proposed mechanism to allow such far in
land oscillations is the presence of large fracture zones in the rock throughout the peninsula
which may allow the pressure wave to easily propagate. The third investigation simulates
a potential mixing event within the Yucatan aquifer, specifically within one of the many
cave passages throughout the region. Parameters (Sc, `fudge factor') were varied to better
understand the dynamics of this system and how common approximations made for the
sake of computational effciency affect the dynamics. We found that while there is some
leeway with the numerical choice of Schmidt number and `fudge' factor (constant factor
increasing all diffusivities), making large changes to these values leads to growing differences
in energy calculations which are particularly important for mixing. Reductions in
initial density difference (i.e. temperature profle) showed a signifcant dynamical difference
compared to the base case. Particularly, differences in how the instability manifests and
its effects on the density beyond the initial range created were observed. Together these
studies help build a better understanding of the dynamics within the Yucatan aquifer particularly
within the large caves and conduits where traditional porous media theory does
not apply.
Institution:
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Times Cited:
2