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4277203 
Journal Article 
HYDROCARBON POLLUTION STUDIES OF UNDERWATER SINKHOLES ALONG QUINTANA ROO AS A FUNCTION OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN 
Medina-Moreno, SA; Jimenez-Gonzalez, A; Gutierrez-Rojas, M; Lizardi-Jimenez, MA 
2014 
1 
Revista Mexicana de Ingenieria Quimica
ISSN: 1665-2738 
Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa 
13 
2 
509-516 
English 
WOS:000340227700015 
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 Cancan 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 Cancan 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. 
airlift bioreactor; hydrocarbon; water pollution; tourism; sinkholes