Historical analysis of a karst aquifer: recharge, water extraction, and consumption dynamics on a tourist island (Cozumel, Mexico)

"On Cozumel Island, access to freshwater depends on the extraction of the resource from the aquifer located north of the island (catchment area). Water resource management on the island must be based on updated knowledge of the indicator dynamics related to the recharge of the aquifer, groundwa...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: GERARDO HERNANDEZ FLORES, MARTHA ANGELICA GUTIERREZ AGUIRRE, ADRIAN CERVANTES MARTINEZ, ANA ELIZABETH MARIN CELESTINO
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2021
Country:México
Institution:Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica
Repository:Repositorio Institucional del IPICYT
OAI Identifier:oai:ipicyt.repositorioinstitucional.mx:1010/2520
Online Access:http://ipicyt.repositorioinstitucional.mx/jspui/handle/1010/2520
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:info:eu-repo/classification/Autor/Aquifer sustainability
info:eu-repo/classification/Autor/Groundwater management
info:eu-repo/classification/Autor/Mann Kendall trend test
info:eu-repo/classification/Autor/Time series
info:eu-repo/classification/Autor/Water consumption
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/2
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/24
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/2417
info:eu-repo/classification/cti/241705
Description
Summary:"On Cozumel Island, access to freshwater depends on the extraction of the resource from the aquifer located north of the island (catchment area). Water resource management on the island must be based on updated knowledge of the indicator dynamics related to the recharge of the aquifer, groundwater extraction and the distribution of the resource. In this study, trends, variations and time series of 30 years of monthly data for precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, and estimated aquifer recharge were calculated for the catchment area. Additionally, groundwater extraction, water consumption for the main uses over a 13-year period (monthly data), and the 5-year status of wells were considered. The results show decreasing trends in precipitation and estimated recharge volumes in the catchment area, in addition to increasing trends in mean air temperature, evapotranspiration, water extraction volumes and consumption by the commercial sector for the considered time periods. Additionally, an increase in dejected (77%) and reposed (38%) wells within the catchment area was observed. Evidence from this study suggests a dynamic behaviour of the analysed indicators over time that increases pressure on karstic, Caribbean aquifers for which monthly monitoring and data analysis are encouraged as the basis for adequate management."