The Yucatan peninsula is highly susceptible to contamination of groundwater and coastal areas as a result of its unique Karst geology. This study aims to evaluate whether contamination is currently occurring by using passive sampler technologies to monitor selected groundwater discharge zones. Passive sampling techniques have proven useful as monitoring tools for a wide range of contaminants in aquatic environments. For instance, semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) have been used to monitor for relatively hydrophobic compounds in aquatic environments. More recently, a passive sampler has been developed for more water-soluble (i.e. hydrophilic) contaminants.

The Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) shows promise as a monitoring tool for polar contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, current use pesticides and endocrine disrupting compounds. SPMD and POCIS passive samplers have been deployed in freshwater discharge points along the coastal zone of the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, in order to assess whether these water resources are being contaminated by municipal wastewater, urban runoff, livestock production and pesticide use in the region. Both types of passive samplers have been deployed for periods of one month at 5 cave system locations judged to have potential for groundwater contamination. The photos displayed to the left and below show the entrance to two of these cave systems (cenotes).

CCPP First Phase Output Report

Tracking the sources of coastal zone contamination in the Maya Riviera Region of Mexico (pdf 120KB)