Observations of Active Submarine Groundwater Discharge on a Shallow Coastal Sea in Yucatan, Mexico

This contribution presents detailed measurements of fresh water fluxes from an energetic submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) located on the coastal ocean on Dzilam Bravo, Yucatan, Mexico. Due to the geologic characteristics of the site (karstic geology), inland groundwater flows through karstic conduits and exits at sea. Time series of fluxes measured by an acoustic velocimeter (VECTOR), temperature and salinity are correlated to the variability imposed by tides, currents, waves and rainfall. The contribution of SGD is a determining factor in the dynamics of marine ecosystems because it provides fresh water, nutrients, contaminants and other solutes. For this reason it is important to increase the knowledge about its dynamics and mixing processes that take place in these kind of environments. To study the spacial variability of thermohaline conditions, an area of 1 by 1 km (which includes five freshwater springs) was measured with a vessel towed CTD during drough and rainfall seasons. The results reveal that the flow conditions for the main spring (X'buya-Ha) is controlled by sea level variations, which include tides and weather effects. The outflow velocity is about 0.5 m/s during dry season when the discharge is weak, and about 3 m/s during periods of intense rainfall, when the discharge is strong. Also, it was noted that outflow direction changes as a result of high and low tides along a day. Results will be presented on the spatial influence as well, showing that the effect of the springs is very localised during high tide, but expands considerably during low tides.