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Effects of short‐term variations in sea level on dissolved oxygen in a coastal karst aquifer, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Author(s) -
Young Caitlin,
Martin Jonathan B.,
Branyon Jackie,
Pain Andrea,
ValleLevinson Arnoldo,
MariñoTapia Ismael,
Vieyra Mario Rebolledo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.1002/lno.10635
Subject(s) - aquifer , brackish water , saltwater intrusion , submarine groundwater discharge , seawater , karst , groundwater , environmental science , salinity , biogeochemical cycle , oceanography , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , spring (device) , sea level , environmental chemistry , chemistry , mechanical engineering , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , engineering
Sea‐level rise should cause salt‐water intrusion into coastal aquifers and limit fresh submarine groundwater discharge. Pargos Spring offshore of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico, intermittently discharges brackish water and allows intrusion of lagoon water with seawater salinity to the aquifer. Lagoon water intrusion occurred when sea level was > 0.08 m above mean observed values during the study period. Salt water intrusion will be permanent within a few decades at the current eustatic sea‐level rise rate of ∼ 3 mm/yr. A mixing model demonstrates that oxygen dissolved in the lagoon water is reduced as it intrudes the spring. Dissolved oxygen (DO) reduction is greater at the spring vent than at sensors ∼ 10 m inside the conduit, reflecting rapid reaction kinetics. DO reduction results from organic carbon remineralization, which also releases N and P to the water. Increased frequency of intrusion events or continuous intrusion may alter microbially mediated biogeochemical reactions, thereby increasing aquifer vulnerability to sea‐level rise.