Assessing Fecal Contamination in Groundwater from the Tulum Region, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Rosa Ma. Leal-Bautista, Melissa Lenczewski, Cheyenne Morgan, Amy Gahala, Jean E. McLain

Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan, Unidad de Ciencias del Agua, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Northern Illinois University, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb, USA.
University of Arizona Water Resources Re- search Center, Tucson, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2013.411148                

Abstract

The Yucatan Peninsula’s groundwater is experiencing increases in degradation due to swelling population and tourism; yet little is known about sources and transport of contaminants in drinking water supplies. The karst allows for rapid transport of microbial and chemical contaminants to the subsurface, resulting in significantly increased potential for pollution of groundwater. The objective of this research is to determine the occurrence, source, and extent of fecal contamination in the Tulum region of the Peninsula. A multi-analytical approach was undertaken in impacted and unimpacted groundwater locations; measurements included physicochemical parameters, total coliform and E. coli, Bacteroides (human vs total) and caffeine. The results indicate a variation in geochemistry from impacted to protected sites. The total coliform and E. coli show fecal contamination is wide spread. However, the presence of human Bacteriodes and caffeine in the water in the Tulum well field indicates that the recent human activities next to the well field are impacting the drinking water supply. This project is an assessment of the area’s current water quality conditions and the probable impact that the aforementioned growth would have on the area’s water supply. By applying multiple source parameter measurements, including molecular microbiology and chemical indicators it was confirmed the extent of fecal contamination of human origin covered the entire sampling region.

Keywords

Groundwater; Microbial; Chemical Contaminants; Transport; Yucatan Peninsula; Quintana Roo

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	E. C. Perry, J. Swift, J. Gamboa, A. Reeve, R. Sanborn, L. Marin and M. Villasuso, “Geologic and Environmental Aspects of Surface Cementation, North Coast, Yucatan, Mexico,” Geology, Vol. 17, No. 9, 1989, pp. 818-821.
[2]	L. E. Marin and E. C. Perry, “The Hydrology and Contamination Potential of Northwestern Yucatan, Mexico,” Geofisica Internacional, Vol. 33, No. 4, 1994, pp. 619-623.
[3]	S. W. McMurry, M. S. Coyne and E. Perfect, “Fecal Coliforms Transport through Intact Soil Blocks Amended with Poultry Manure,” Journal Environmental Quality, Vol. 27, No. 1, 1998, pp. 86-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700010013x
[4]	N. Goldscheider, J. Meiman, M. Pronk and C. Smart, “Tracer Tests in Karst Hydrogeology and Speleology,” International Journal of Speleology, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2008, pp. 27-40.
[5]	Comision Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA), 2012.
[6]	J. Alocer, A. Lugo, L. Marin, E. Escobar, “Hydrochemistry of Waters from Five Cenotes and Evaluation of Their Suitability for Drinking-Water Supplies, Northeastern Yucatan, Mexico,” Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1998, pp. 293-301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100400050152
[7]	C. Graniel, L. Morris and J. Carrillo-Rivera, “Effects of Urbanization on Groundwater Resources of Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 37, No. 4, 1999, pp. 303-312. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002540050388
[8]	L. Marin, B. Steinich, J. Pacheco and O. Escolero, “Hydrogeology of a Contaminated Sole-Source Karst Aquifer, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico,” Geofisica Internacional, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2000, pp. 359-365.
[9]	J. Pacheco, S. Armando Cabrera, and L. Marin, “Bacteriological Contamination in the Karstic Aquifer of Yucatan, Mexico,” Geofisica Internacional, Vol. 39, No. 3, 2000, pp. 285-291.
[10]	J. Pacheco, S. Armando Cabrera, L. Marin, B. Steinich and O. Escolero, “Nitrate Temporal and Spatial Patterns in 12 Water Supply Wells, Yucatan, Mexico,” Environmental Geology, Vol. 40, No. 6, 2001, pp. 708-771. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002540000180
[11]	P. Beddows, “Where Does the Sewage Go? The Karst Groundwater System of Municipalidad Solidaridad, Quintana Roo,” Association for Mexican Cave Studies Activities, No. 25, 2002, pp. 47-52.
[12]	C. Metcalfe, G. Bouchot, T. Metcalfe, H. Li, P. Beddows and H. Van Lavieren, “Domestic Wastewater as a Source of Contaminants in Freshwater Aquifers in the Mayan Riviera Tourism Region of Mexico,” 2009. http://www.inweh.unu.edu/Coastal/POPs/2009_Dominica/Metcalfeposter.pdf
[13]	H. Hausman, “Responsible Development in Tulum, Mexico: Considering Water Quality and Subaqueous Cave Locations,” MS Thesis, Duke University, Durham, 2009.
[14]	L. Marin, “The Role of Science in Managing Yucatan’s Groundwater. Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Mexico,” Proceedings of a Workshop, 2007. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11875.html
[15]	P. Beddows, “Conduit Hydrogeology of a Tropical Coastal Carbonate Aquifer: Caribbean Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula,” MS Thesis, McMaster University, Hamilton, 1999.
[16]	W. Ward, A. Weidie, M. Brady, J. Wilson and R. Halley, “Geology of the Northeastern Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula,” In: Geology and Hydrogeology of Northeastern Yucatan, Field Trip. New Orleans Geological Society, GCAGS/SEPM Annual Convention, 1978, pp. 33-42.
[17]	Y. Moore, R. Stoessell and D. Easley, “Fresh-Water/Sea-Water Relationship within a Ground-Water Flow System, Northeastern Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula,” Ground Water, Vol. 30, No. 3, 1992, pp. 343-350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1992.tb02002.x
[18]	W. Back and B. Hanshaw, “Hydrogeochemistry of the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico with a Section on Mayan Water Practices,” In: Geology and Hydrogeology of Northeastern Yucatan. Field Trip. New Orleans Geological Society, GCAGS/SEPM Annual Convention, 1978, pp. 229-261.
[19]	M. Villasuso and R. Ramos, “A Conceptual Model of the Aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula IN: Population, Development, and Environment on the Yucatan Peninsula: From Ancient Maya to 2030,” International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, 2000.
[20]	E. Perry, G. Velazquez-Oliman and L. Marin, “The Hydrogeochemistry of the Karst Aquifer System of the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico,” International Geology Review, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2002, pp. 191-221. http://dx.doi.org/10.2747/0020-6814.44.3.191
[21]	S. Meachem, “Freshwater Resources in the Yucatan Peninsula. Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Mexico,” Proceedings of a Workshop, 2007. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11875.html.
[22]	Comisión Nacional del Agua (CNA), “Precipitacion Media Estatal,” 2008. http://smn.cna.gob.mx/climatologia/precipitacion/estados/est-2008.gif
[23]	Comisión Nacional del Agua (CNA), “Servicio Meteorológico Nacional,” 2009. http://smn.cna.gob.mx/climatologia/termperaturas/media/tmed2009.pdf
[24]	US EPA, “Analytical Methods: Contaminants of Emerging Concern Pharmacetuicals & Personal Care Products,” Water, 2007.
[25]	S. Pueppke and M. Hawes, “Understanding the Binding of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces,” Trends in Biotechnology, Vol. 3, No. 12, 1985, pp. 311-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0167-7799(85)90034-4
[26]	R. Maier, I. Pepper and C. Gerba, “Environmental Microbiology,” 2nd Edition, Academic Press, Amsterdam, 2009.
[27]	P. Bauer-Gottwein, B. R. N. Gondwe, G. Charvet, L. Marin, M. Rebolledo Vieyra and A. G. Merediz, “Review: The Yucatan Peninsula Karst Aquifer,” Hydrogeology Journal, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2011, pp. 507-524. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0699-5