Abstract

MEDINA-MORENO, S.A.; JIMENEZ-GONZALEZ, A.; GUTIERREZ-ROJAS, M.  and  LIZARDI-JIMENEZ, M.A.. Hydrocarbon pollution studies of underwater sinkholes along Quintana Roo as a function of tourism development in the Mexican Caribbean. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.2, pp.509-516. ISSN 1665-2738.

This work studied in a wide geographical area during two vacational seasons, the presence of hydrocarbon contaminants in sinkholes along the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, an important caribeann tourism region. Phenanthrene, naphthalene and benzene derivates were found as the most common hydrocarbon contaminants present in underwater sinkholes located in Cancún and Playa del Carmen, two well-developed tourism poles. Other regions of Quintana Roo, with intermediate tourism development (Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Cozumel and Bacalar) show hydrocarbon presence too. In comparison, Holbox which is a recent touristic development where the use of motor transportation for tourists and locals is less common, has not reached the contamination level of Cancun or Playa del Carmen nor the pollution level of intermediate tourism development poles as Tulum or Cozumel. Concentration of hydrocarbons is related to vacational seasons, sinkholes during "High" season shows major hydrocarbon concentration and diversity than during "Low" season.

Keywords : airlift bioreactor; hydrocarbon; water pollution; tourism; sinkholes.

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