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Physico-chemical seasonal variability of a tropical estuary: major and minor elements in water and air

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The lower reaches of the Coatzacoalcos River in southeast Mexico is an area of intense industrial development. The physico-chemical characteristics of the area have exhibited differences over the years. Apparently from the associated outcroppings of limestone in the Uxpanapa River Basin, the major elements that are dissolved show higher concentrations of Ca, Mg and HCO3 − in the waters supplied by this river. The water in the Calzadas River contains high concentrations of Ca, SO4 and HCO3 − that are associated with the saline domes crossed by this river. Due to industrial discharges, the sulfate concentration is very high in the water and air during April. Nitrate concentration diminishes with salinity. Higher nitrate as well as nitrite and ammonia levels are present during flood season. Phosphate concentration, associated with high oxygen levels, is higher in January. Zn, Cu and Cr are higher during the dry season (April) when dilution is minimal and low levels of TOC are present. The smaller concentrations of Zn and Cu observed in January are associated with high TOC values in water. The lower levels of Cr present in August are associated with high amounts of suspended matter. Pajaritos Lagoon and Teapa-L, with large industrial discharges, have the highest nutrient and dissolved metal concentrations in the area. Air particles smaller than 2.5 μm contain Fe, V, Ti, Cu, Zn, and high amounts of S. These anomalous concentrations of sulfates and metals are attributed to anthropogenic sources.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to the Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, which supported this research through project FIES 95-122-VI, and to the authorities of the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM, to the Secretaría de Marina, Armada de México, for their valuable support in sample collection. The authors also thank S. Santiago Perez, E. Morales De La Garza, M. T. Limón Sanchez, E. del C. Dominguez Rodríguez, J.L. Martinez and G. Torres Gordillo for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM., P.O. Box 70305, 04510 D.F., México , México

    L. Rosales Hoz, A. Carranza Edwards & C. Mendez Jaime

  2. Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, UNAM, P.O. Box 70305, 04510 D.F., México , México

    P. Carvajal Romero & M. E. Ruiz Santoyo

Authors
  1. L. Rosales Hoz
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  2. A. Carranza Edwards
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  3. P. Carvajal Romero
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  4. C. Mendez Jaime
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  5. M. E. Ruiz Santoyo
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Correspondence to L. Rosales Hoz.

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Rosales Hoz, L., Carranza Edwards, A., Carvajal Romero, P. et al. Physico-chemical seasonal variability of a tropical estuary: major and minor elements in water and air. Env Geol 44, 790–798 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0832-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0832-z

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