Geologic and environmental aspects of surface cementation, north coast, Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1989 Geologic and environmental aspects of surface cementation, north coast, Yucatan, Mexico Eugene Perry; Eugene Perry 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jennifer Swift; Jennifer Swift 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jose Gamboa; Jose Gamboa 2Departamento de Hidrología, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew Reeve; Andrew Reeve 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert Sanborn; Robert Sanborn 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis Marin; Luis Marin 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Miguel Villasuso Miguel Villasuso 2Departamento de Hidrología, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1989) 17 (9): 818–821. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0818:GAEAOS>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Eugene Perry, Jennifer Swift, Jose Gamboa, Andrew Reeve, Robert Sanborn, Luis Marin, Miguel Villasuso; Geologic and environmental aspects of surface cementation, north coast, Yucatan, Mexico. Geology 1989;; 17 (9): 818–821. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<0818:GAEAOS>2.3.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 The northernmost part of the fresh-water aquifer of Yucatan, Mexico, is confined near the coast by a thin, flat, nearly impermeable calcareous layer. We think it probable that this confining layer is now developing by a process of sedimentation and precipitation of porefilling cement on and near the surface of older limestone at the landward margin of the swamp that extends virtually continuously along the north Yucatan coast. It is our interpretation that this CaCO3-cemented layer, which is 0.5 to 1.4 m thick, develops in the zone of discharge of the fresh-water aquifer. The presence of 14C (6.0% ±0.4% modern carbon in a sample of aquitard) supports the hypothesis that cementation is an ongoing process. Further support comes from the remarkable regularity between modern mean sea level and the elevation of the landward boundary between the confining zone and normal karst along 250 km of coast.Confinement of the aquifer produces an elevation of the piezometric surface to about 0.5 m above mean sea level and a concurrent depression of the fresh-water/salt-water interface to an estimated depth of about 18 m below mean sea level at the coast. Breaching of the confining layer, implicit in some development schemes for the region, could dramatically decrease the thickness of the fresh-water lens, a valuable water resource. The mixing zone beneath the confined part of the aquifer is a chemically active volume that may be vigorously pumped by tides (as evidenced by increased salinity of ground water near the coast), thus making this zone a likely place for rock-water interaction including, perhaps, dolomite formation. 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.