WATER QUALITY IN URBAN WETLANDS OF ISLA MUJERES, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO

Abstract

Background: Bodies of water in the interior of Isla Mujeres, characterized by having homes around. Objective: Show information on the water quality of the Chica y Grande salt flats of Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo. Methodology: A study was carried out in each body of water considering different numbers of random points for the measurement of hydrological and microbiological variables in three visits during 2016. The data obtained were analyzed using multivariate exploration techniques (main component analysis) and hypothesis contrast (multivariate variance analysis with permutations). Results: The results indicate that the differences between climatic seasons (north, dry and rain) are more important than the differences between wetlands, with temperature being the variable with more significant changes in the dry season. In terms of water quality, the most relevant indicators were dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand, whose values allow salt flats to be located as bodies of water of low environmental quality. Implications: The importance of having an appropriate monitoring program and management plan for these emblematic ecosystems of the island is highlighted. Conclusion: salt flats are shallow wetlands, with very low concentrations of dissolved oxygen, leading to them being located as ecosystems with low environmental quality.