The Ecological Condition of Veracruz, Mexico Estuaries |
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Authors: | J M Macauley L C Harwell H V Alafita |
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Institution: | (1) Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA;(2) Consultores en Gestion Politica y Planificacion Ambiental, S.C. Centro Corporativo Cancún, Av. Tulum 318, esp. 203b. Mzna. 2, Cancún, Quintana Roo, SM 9, Mexico |
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Abstract: | During June and July, 2002, forty-seven stations were sampled within estuaries along the gulf coast of the state of Veracruz,
MX, using a probabilistic survey design and a common set of response indicators. The objective of the study was to collect
information to assess the condition of estuarine waters within the state of Veracruz, and to provide data that would strengthen
future assessments of Gulf of Mexico estuaries. Samples for water quality, sediment contaminants, sediment toxicity, and benthic
populations were collected in a manner consistent with EPA’s National Coastal Assessment (NCA). Data were evaluated by comparing
indicator measurements to tropical waters threshold values cited in US EPA’s National Coastal Condition Report II, 2004, for
tropical waters. In Veracruz, 75% of the area sampled rated poor for water quality, attributed primarily to high concentrations
reported for chlorophyll a, and dissolved nutrients. One percent of the area exhibited poor sediment quality, based on PAH and metals concentrations.
Compared to US estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico, water quality observed in Veracruz estuaries was more affected by nutrient
over-enrichment. The probabilitistic nature of the survey design allowed for the comparison of the condition of Veracruz and
the US GOM estuaries. |
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Keywords: | Environmental assessment Environmental monitoring Veracruz estuaries |
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