Collaborative Research: REU Site: Water resources and quality in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

墨西哥尤卡坦半岛是本科生探索水资源管理相关问题的关键自然实验室，水资源管理是当今社会的一个关键话题。尤卡坦半岛的含水层渗透性很强，污染物向地下的输送速度很快，因此有很大的地下水污染潜力。这个更新的REU网站为本科生提供了一个在国际环境下进行该领域研究的机会，与来自四个机构的教师导师合作，并对该地区与水有关的问题有一个全面的了解。此外，该项目将把尤卡坦半岛的文化和历史方面与现代水问题联系起来，帮助培训下一代水专业人员。来自代表性不足人群的STEM本科生将在经验丰富的导师的指导下，从事与地下水流动、人为污染、无机和稳定同位素地球化学以及微生物学相关的五个相互关联的项目。收集和分析的数据将有助于全面了解该区域地下水系统的功能和人类影响。通过这个项目，学生们将学习负责任的科学研究行为、专业发展和当代与水有关的问题，为他们未来在STEM领域的职业生涯做好准备。该项目还将侧重于招募和支持STEM领域传统上代表性不足的学生，创建一个未来水专业人员的多元化社区。此外，该项目将通过尤卡坦调查中心(CICY)与墨西哥当地官员分享其研究成果，并在开放获取期刊上发表，使墨西哥和拉丁美洲的科学家能够获得这些成果。该项目的广泛影响不仅将促进尤卡坦半岛水资源管理的知识，还将改善本科生研究培训，并为多元化和包容性的水专业人员社区做出贡献。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico is a critical natural laboratory for undergraduate students to explore issues related to water resource management, a crucial topic in today's society. With a highly permeable aquifer and rapid transport of contaminants to the subsurface, the Yucatán Peninsula has significant potential for groundwater pollution. This renewal REU site provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to conduct research in the field in an international setting, work with faculty mentors from four institutions, and gain a holistic understanding of water-related issues in the region. Additionally, the project will link the cultural and historical aspects of the Yucatán Peninsula with modern water issues, helping to train the next generation of water professionals.STEM undergraduates from underrepresented populations will work on five interconnected projects related to groundwater flow, anthropogenic pollution, inorganic and stable isotope geochemistry, and microbiology, under the guidance of experienced mentors. The data collected and analyzed will contribute to the overall understanding of groundwater system functioning and human impacts in the region. Through this project, students will learn responsible scientific research conduct, professional development, and contemporary water-related issues, preparing them for future careers in STEM fields. The project will also focus on recruiting and supporting traditionally underrepresented students in STEM fields, creating a diverse community of future water professionals. Additionally, the project will share its research findings with the local officials in Mexico through the Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY) and publish them in open access journals, making them accessible to scientists in Mexico and Latin America. This project's broader impact will not only advance knowledge of water resource management in the Yucatán Peninsula but also improve undergraduate research training and contribute to a diverse and inclusive community of water professionals.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.