Author(s)

Kim Chi Tran, D Valdes, J Herrera, J Euan, I Medina-Gomez & N Aranda-Cirerol

Abstract

Holbox Island, with its coastal lagoon, Yalahau Lagoon, is a relatively undisturbed ecosystem that is currently under threat from unplanned and intensive urban development. This paper reports the results of analysis to determine the temporal and spatial variations of standard physical and chemical parameters and to evaluate the relationships among these parameters. Water samples collected from 43 stations during the rainy season in August 1999 and August 2001 were analysed using standard methods. The results indicate that, in general, the area is relatively undisturbed by human influence. Water quality at stations in the proximity of boating and dumping activities shows higher degradation than at other stations within the lagoon. The opening of the canal in Santa Paola in August 2001 has helped increasing the current circulation in the lagoon, leading to the improvement of water quality of the lagoon. Results from the Data Flow Technique, obtained at different temporal seasons (August 2001and January 2002), corresponding to the rainy and \“Nortes” (winter storm) seasons show the detailed profiles of the Yalahau Lagoon at various seasons. The higher spatial variability in the hydrology observed in August could be due the south region of the lagoon is mainly influenced by freshwater discharges; instead the northwest region shows a restricted water interchange. However, during January the north-winds show an influence in all the system favoring less spatial heterogeneity in its hydrology. 1 Introduction The study area includes the coastal zones of Holbox Island and the adjacent Yalahau Lagoon, which are in the Quintana Roo State, northeast of the Yucatan

Keywords