Estuarine Tropical Forcing Functions: The Palizada River Delta (Southern Gulf of Mexico), a Case Study

by C. Fuentes-Yaco, UNAM, Mexico,
J. L. Rojas-Galaviz, UNAM, Mexico,
D. A. Salas de Leon, UNAM, Mexico,
F. R. Vera-Herrera, UNAM, Mexico,
M. A. Monreal-Gomez, UNAM, Mexico,
F. Vazquez-Gutierrez, UNAM, Mexico,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

The geomorphological characteristics of the fluvial - deltaic - lagoon - estuarine system of Palizada River (FDLESPR) in the southern Gulf of Mexico, allows the interaction of several physical variables which determines its hydrodynamics. Time series were developed with daily values of Usumacinta River discharge (39 years), sea level at Cd. del Carmen, Camp. (26), magnitude and direction of dominant winds (4), and precipitation (10), which were applied to elaborate an schematic model to resume the available information. This, allows the interpretation of spatial - temporal variation of hydrological parameters; salinity, transparency, temperature, disolved oxygen and ph. The balance effect of fluvial and estuarine water, shows the dominance of freshwater nutriments, organic matter and sediments on the Terminos Lagoon and southern Gulf of Mexico; been this an net export - energy ecosystem. The tidal contribution is lesser, nevertheless, it has enough magnitude to modify the freshwater spatial - temporal conditions, to transform partially the system towards estuarine characteristics.

Subject Headings: Estuaries | Rivers and streams | Light rail transit | Lagoons | Gulfs | Developing countries | Tides | Gulf of Mexico

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