Abstract

BATLLORI-SAMPEDRO, Eduardo; GONZALEZ-PIEDRA, Julio Iván; DIAZ-SOSA, Julio  and  FEBLES-PATRON, José Luis. Hydrological characterization of the Yucatán's northwest coastal region, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2006, n.59, pp.74-92. ISSN 2448-7279.

A classification of the northwest territory of Yucatan was made based on a physical-geographic approach, which considers the Chicxulub hydrogeologic basin like planning and development unit. The particularity of this basin is due to its natural geographic specific conditions. In the 3 198 km² of the study area, and according to the geology, climate, hydrologic characteristics, vegetation types, and anthropogenic factors, were identified two First order Functional Geographic Units: a) marine, cumulative, karstic, very low plain coastal (H < 2 meters above sea level). from Quaternary age, and b) denudate, low karstic Plain (H < 9 masl), from Tertiary age. In a hierarchical way were identified five Second order, eight Third order, and twenty six Fourth order units. The main climate characteristics driving the hydrological regulations of the region were described, and it was analyzed the superficial and underground hydrological dynamics of the main landscape units. The current coast situation is strongly unsteady, dominated by erosive processes in beaches and with an accelerated predicted increase of sea level by global warming, in addition to the strong impact caused by habitation and productive infrastructure, deforestation, and construction of jetties in the littoral zone. It is suggested to make studies about fresh water discharges through submarine springs in the coast, the coastal aquitard formation and karst dissolution processes, and characterize the hydrological dynamics of the "ring of cenotes " and its influence in the coastal zone.

Keywords : Hydrological characterization; karst; basin; northwest coast; Yucatán.

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