GROUND WATER MODELING AND USE OF CHIRP IN COASTAL CENOTES IN THE YUCATÁN PENINSULA

Sinkholes, locally called cenotes, are surface features of the karstic aquifer system that supplies drinking water in the Yucatán Peninsula, México. Despite being close to each other, many cenotes have different characteristics (e.g. clear vs turbid water) and are located in one of two aquifer systems- Coastal or Holbox. This study examined regional flow patterns of cenotes located in the coastal zone of the Peninsula. In this research, we tested a new method to characterize individual cenotes. The CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulsed) is normally used as a fish finder; However, in this research, CHIRP is employed in a karstic environment to determine the bathymetry of cenotes. This was coupled with surveying water levels and GPS technology to model groundwater flow in each aquifer. Consequently, if this method can effectively be used to characterize smaller scale flow within a cenote, the data generated can be used to connect it to the regional scale flow. Since the Cancún economy is driven by tourism, and groundwater is their source of drinking water, the research will be helpful to understand flow in the region, and why differences in the characteristics of various cenotes, even though they are close to each other impact flow. Additionally, it is essential to consider that the data collected in this research will be helpful for the environment and the knowledge of water quality in the communities surrounding these sinkholes.