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Development of a Protection Strategy of Karst Limestone Aquifers: The Merida Yucatan, Mexico Case Study

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Abstract

In many regions karstic aquifers constitute the only available source of drinking water. Due to the high risk of contamination in these aquifers, a comprehensive groundwater protection and control system must be designed and established. It has recentlybeen proposed that Hydrogeologic Reserve Zones (HRZ) can be established as a tool for the groundwater management in these aquifers. The following approach is proposed in order to establish the HRZ in karstic aquifers: including several generalstrategies for the protection of the ground waters within them, as well as the zoning of the land use and the development of acode of practice. A general procedure is proposed for the development of code of practice for ground water protection inkarst aquifers, which is applied as a case study in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

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Correspondence to O. A. Escolero.

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Escolero, O.A., Marin, L.E., Steinich, B. et al. Development of a Protection Strategy of Karst Limestone Aquifers: The Merida Yucatan, Mexico Case Study. Water Resources Management 16, 351–367 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021967909293

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021967909293

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