Freshwater Flow from Caves at Chankanaab Park, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico

by Steven L. Johnson, Lichliter/Jameson & Associates, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Soil Properties Evaluation from Centrifugal Models and Field Performance

Abstract:

The freshwater forms a lense on top of the ocean water and discharges to the ocean through solution channels. One such solution channel is present in Chankanaab Park and is identified due to the cloudy water caused by refraction from mixing. Measurements of flow and salinity profiles were obtained in an inlet and network of caves. Ocean water on the bottom moves inland while the freshwater discharges through the top half of the water column. The water discharge from the top of the cave has a high salinity of 23.1 parts per thousand. Outflow from the cave was measured at 156 cfs with a weighted salinity of 29.5 ppt. Conductivity of tap water from the City of San Miguel was found at 2.8 ppt. Based on the mix of outflow, total freshwater discharge was estimated to be 25 cfs or 16 million gallons per day.

Subject Headings: Hydration | Fresh water | Water discharge | Salt water | Flow measurement | Caves | Water discharge measurement | Mexico

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