Monthly surface hydrographical variability in a coral reef system under the influence of river discharges
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2019 Elsevier Ltd The annual variation of total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, Chlorophyll-a and density time series in the surface layer (1 and 5 m depth) were analyzed in a tropical coral reef system, under the influence of city drainage and river discharges. It is important to fully understand the temporal variation of such parameters throughout the world since they are related to biological processes. Furthermore, most tropical coral reef systems, such as the Veracruz Reef System (VRS, Mexico), developed in areas where the reefs are under stress due to the influence of fresh water input during the rainy season, and sediments coverage (vertical mixing) during the northern winds (cold front) season. In addition to the atmospheric temporal variability at mesoscales in the western Gulf of Mexico (dry, rainy and northern wind seasons), the VRS exhibited two transition months between seasons, in contrast to the three months transition period expected from the atmospheric variability. Finally the system was found to be more productive than its surrounding areas due to nutrient input from rivers and city drainage.
