Aspects of the Hydrology and Hydrogeology of the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

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This is a proposal to characterize the hydrology, hydrogeology, and geochemistry of the northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Northern Yucatan is an emergent platform in which karst features are developing in rocks whose mineralogy is strongly dominated by limestone and dolomite. Low content of argillaceous minerals and high permeability insure a rapid throughput of groundwater in the system. Mixing of fresh and salt water result in a significant zone of dispersion between the fresh groundwater lens and the underlying saline intrusion; and this zone of dispersion can significantly affect carbonate diagenesis. Simple stratigraphy and mineralogical composition, accessibility, and lack of human development make the northern Yucatan Peninsula an excellent natural laboratory. The study area will be divided into four distinct zones characterized by strong differences in permeability. Proposed research involves drilling holes (in collaboration with Mexican ion content, environmental isotopes, saturation indices, and Sr content), and making and calibrating electrical resistivity surveys. Interface behavior and its relation to diagenesis and corrosion will be studied. Data will be mapped or contoured and used in numerical simulation of groundwater flow.