Changes in the hydrological characteristics of Chabihau coastal wetlands, Yucatan, Mexico, associated with hurricane Isidore impact

Abstract

This paper describes changes in the hydrologic behavior of Chabihau coastal lagoon, Yucatan, Mexico, associated with the impact of Hurricane Isidore (2002) and the construction of hydraulic infrastructure in coastal highways, through the spatiotemporal analysis of the water physicochemical variables, from the 1999 flood season to the 2005 dry season. The coastal wetlands were subdivided into three areas: San Crisanto swamp in the west, Chabihau lagoon in the center, and Santa Clara swamp in the east. After the hurricane impact and construction of bridges in the coastal dune, stronger tide´s ebb into the Chabihau lagoon was recorded, changing it from a hyperhaline system to an euryhaline one. On the other hand, changes to hyperhaline conditions were observed in Santa Clara swamp during dry and flood seasons. After the hurricane, negative redox values were recorded throughout the entire Chabihau wetlands, in addition to a reduction in dissolved oxygen and pH, during both dry and flood seasons. This situation determined dominance of reductive processes in the three areas, with low temporal variability. If the salinization process continues in the Santa Clara swamp, changes may occur in the structure and composition of the mangrove forest.