Differential dissolution of a Pleistocene reef in the ground-water mixing zone of coastal Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 1986 Differential dissolution of a Pleistocene reef in the ground-water mixing zone of coastal Yucatan, Mexico William Back; William Back 1U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bruce B. Hanshaw; Bruce B. Hanshaw 1U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Janet S. Herman; Janet S. Herman 2Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Nicholas Van Driel J. Nicholas Van Driel 3U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information William Back 1U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Bruce B. Hanshaw 1U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Janet S. Herman 2Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 J. Nicholas Van Driel 3U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1986) 14 (2): 137–140. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<137:DDOAPR>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation William Back, Bruce B. Hanshaw, Janet S. Herman, J. Nicholas Van Driel; Differential dissolution of a Pleistocene reef in the ground-water mixing zone of coastal Yucatan, Mexico. Geology 1986;; 14 (2): 137–140. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<137:DDOAPR>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A geochemical explanation is provided for the extensive dissolution observed along the carbonate coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Mixing of fresh ground water with subterranean Caribbean seawater generates a highly reactive geochemical zone that enhances aragonite and calcite dissolution and permits neomorphism of aragonite. Mixing-zone dissolution caused by ground-water discharge is a major geomorphic process in developing caves, coves, and crescent-shaped beaches along the Yucatan coast. Such dissolution has probably been a significant control on permeability and porosity distribution in carbonate rocks in the geologic record. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.