This page contains sections on:
1. THESES
2. BOOKS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOOKS
3. JOURNAL ARTICLES
4. CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
5. CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MANUALS & FIELD GUIDES
THESES
Beddows, P.A. (2004) Groundwater Hydrology of a Coastal Conduit Carbonate Aquifer: Caribbean Coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, México, Mexico. PhD thesis. University of Bristol, UK. xix 303 pp.
Abstract
Over 500 km of horizontally extensive submerged cave passages have been explored within the density-stratified carbonate aquifer of the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. These drain the large inland recharge area to the coastal margin and represent important regional-scale anisotropic permeability features. However, conventional theory is inadequate to explain this aquifer where conduit flows dominate within a high permeability matrix. Cave diving and surface observations have been used to develop a regional and multi-seasonal dataset of the density-stratified water column, and the circulation within the fresh and saline waters. A sharp mixing zone (MZ; 0.3 - 4 m thick) separates a cool fresh water lens (FWL) from a warmer saline water zone (SWZ) within the conduits. The SWZ temperature is highest at the coast (~ 28.0 oC) and decreases to ~ 25.5 oC at 10 km inland, while the FWL temperature is spatially constant (25 ± 0.2 oC, n = 33). The MZ has subtle isostatic response (2 - 10 cm) to the semi-diurnal coastal tides, however it remains at an almost uniform depth (within 1 m) despite significant water table variations (> 1 m). Thus, the FWL volume changes in direct proportion to the water table elevation. Previous Yucatan water budgets indicate that 15 % of precipitation recharges the aquifer, however this study shows that > 30 % is required to provide the observed coastal discharge. At least two flow regimes occur within the SWZ. Shallow SWZ flow (to ~ 5 m below the MZ) circulates with alternating periods of net inflow and outflow depending on the mean sea level. This regional reversing flow is substantiated by the inflow of warm marine water at the coast and a pattern of decreasing temperature along the flowpath with distance inland. At greater depth below the MZ (~ 5 - 45 m), saline water flows continuously inland irrespective of sea level. It is proposed that deeper saline flows may represent a cross-platform saline circulation, driven principally by a large east-west ocean head difference (~ 20 - 40 cm).
Beddows, P.A. (2004) Conduit Hydrogeology of a Tropical Coastal Carbonate Aquifer: Caribbean Coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, México. MSc thesis. McMaster University, Canada. xiii 162 p. [ Reformatted copy available from the Association of Mexican Cave Studies. www.amcs-pubs.org ]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the hydrogeology of the submerged conduit systems of a coastal carbonate aquifer (Caribbean coast, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico), and thereby better understand their significance as large permeability heterogeneities. A complex spatial trend in conduit flow rates (determined by quantitative fluorescent dye tracing initiated 6 km inland) was found, including significant velocity variation between consecutive conduit segments. Elevated coastal velocities under low tide conditions are shown by salinity profiling to be induced by the volumetric increase of discharging water from mixing with marine water. Semi-diurnal micro-tidal loading is sufficient to induce flooding from the sea into the conduits at one coastal discharge point, and significantly reduce flow rates at another. Furthermore, a network of four observation sites extending 5 km inland indicates efficient propagation of the ~0.30 m tidal signal through the Nohoch Nah Chich conduit system, a distance several times greater than previously appreciated in this environment. The field results clearly indicate that the hydrogeological flux is dominated by cavernous porosity, and that the aquifer is dynamically responsive to the high-frequency low-magnitude tidal loading to a significant distance inland. Conventional coastal groundwater models such as the Ghyben-Herzberg lens model, assume isotropic homogeneous equivalent-porous-medium conditions. Because the corollaries of the conventional models are inconsistent with the field evidence, they are inapplicable in this environment. It is hoped that these results will aid future modeling efforts, and improve our capacity to manage the valuable groundwater resources which represents the unique source of potable water to the local population.
BOOKS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOOKS
Beddows, P.A. (2003) Yucatán Phreas, Mexico. In Gunn, J. (ed) Encyclopaedia of Cave and Karst Science, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, New York, 786-788
Beddows, P.A. (2003) Bulletin 11: Cave Hydrology of the Caribbean Yucatan Coast, Association of Mexican Cave Studies, Houston, 96 pp. [ Reformatted copy available from the Association of Mexican Cave Studies. www.amcs-pubs.org ]
Beddows, P.A. (2002) Where does the Sewage Go? The karst groundwater system of the Municipalidad de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Association for Mexican Cave Studies Activities 2002, 47-52
Worthington, S.R.H., Ford, D.C. & Beddows, P.A. (2001) Characteristics of porosity and permeability enhancement in unconfined carbonate aquifers due to the development of dissolutional channel systems. Technical Documents in Hydrology - Present state and future trends of karst studies. IHP-V, UNESCO, Paris 1(49): 13-29.
Worthington, S.R.H., Ford, D.C. & Beddows, P.A. (2000) Porosity and permeability enhancement in unconfined carbonate aquifers as a result of solution. Chapter 8. In Klimchouk, A. & Palmer, A. Speleogenesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers, Cave Books, St. Louis, 463-471
ARTICLES
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F., Smith, S.L. (In press 2007) Decoupled fresh–saline groundwater circulation of a coastal carbonate aquifer: Spatial patterns 4 of temperature and specific electrical conductivity Journal of Hydrology. 1-12 p. DOI - pending.
Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C., Serefiddin-Schroeder, F., Beddows, P.A. (Submitted for review) An absolute paleotemperature record from 10 to 6 ka inferred from speleothem fluid inclusion D/H ratios, Vancouver Island. Pacific North West of North America. Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta.
Beddows, P.A. Blanchon, P., Escobar, E., Torres-Talamante, O. (2007) Los cenotes de la península de Yucatán. Arqueología Mexicana, 16(83):32-35 (In Spanish)
Smart, P.L., Beddows, P.A., Doerr, S., Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F. (2006) Cave development on Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In Harmon, R. & Wicks, C. (eds) Perspectives on Karst Geomorphology, Hydrology, & Geochemistry - A tribute volume to Derek C. Ford and William B. White: Geological Society of America Special Paper 404, 105-128
Beddows, P.A., Schwarcz, H.P., Zhang, R., Ford, D.C. (2006) Integrated study of cave drip hydrology and hydrochemistry, and the associated paleoclimate records from North America. In Onac, B., Tamas, T., Constantin, S. Persoiu, A. (eds) Archives of Climate Change in Karst, Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 10: 91-93
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F. & Smith, S.L. (2002) Density stratified groundwater circulation on the Caribbean Coast of Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. In Martin, J.B., Wicks, C.M., & Sasowsky, I.D. (eds) Hydrogeology and Biology of Post-Paleozoic Carbonate Aquifers, Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 8: 129-134
Smart, P.L., Beddows, P.A., Doerr, S., Smith, L.S. & Whitaker, F. (2002) Hydrochemical processes and cave development on the Caribbean Coast, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. In Martin, J.B., Wicks, C.M., & Sasowsky, I.D. (eds) Hydrogeology and Biology of Post-Paleozoic Carbonate Aquifers, Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 8: 79-83
Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F., Parkes, R.J., Smart, P.L., Beddows, P.A. & Bottrell, S.H. (2002) Geochemistry and geomicrobiology of saline groundwaters: Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. In Martin, J.B., Wicks, C.M., & Sasowsky, I.D. (eds) Hydrogeology and Biology of Post-Paleozoic Carbonate Aquifers, Karst Waters Institute Special Publication 8: 135-137
In preparation
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C. (In preparation) dD, d18O isotopic lapse rate and hydrology of cave drip water along an altitudinal gradient with implications for paleoclimate reconstruction, Vancouver Island, B.C. Journal of Geophysical Research
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F., Smith, S.L. (In preparation) Heliothermic heating of groundwater in the Yucatan and Bahamian platforms. Ground Water.
Beddows, P.A. (In preparation) Longitudinal velocity distribution and effective propagation of coastal tides along conduit networks, Caribbean Yucatan Coast, Mexico. Ground Water.
Beddows, P.A., Worthington, S.R.H. (In preparation) Effects of conduit permeability on aquifer transmisivity and storativity revealed: MODFLOW simulation and field observations of cyclical water level fluctuations in a coastal carbonate aquifer. Hydrological Processes.
Gabriel, J., Reinhardt, E.G., Beddows, P.A., van Hengstum, P.J. (In circulation between co-authors) Holocene water table fluctuations and drought identified from pollen and microfaunal assemblages in Cenote Aktun Ha, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Journal of Paleolimnology.
Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F., Parkes, R.J., Smart, P.L., Bottrell, S.H., Beddows, P.A. (In circulation between co-authors) Bacterially driven carbonate dissolution in a modern fresh-saltwater mixing zone: Field evidence from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta.
Torres-Talamante, O., Alcocer, J., Escobar-Briones, E., Lugo, A., Beddows, P.A. (In circulation between co-authors) Nohoch Hol: A Meromictic cenote in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Hydrobiologia.
van Hengstum, P.J., Reinhardt, E.G., Beddows, P.A., Gabriel, J. (In preparation) Microfaunal paleoenvironmental reconstruction of flooded cave environments as a new proxy for sea level and drought in the Western Caribbean, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C., Beddows, P.A. (In circulation between co-authors) Petrographic and SEM study of fluid inclusions in carbonate stalagmite caps. Journal of Sedimentary Research
CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
Ufnar, D., Gröcke, D.R., Beddows, P.A. (2007 - to be scheduled Dec.) Stable isotopes in pedogenic calcite: Can the positive linear covariant trends be used to quantify paleo-evaporation rates? American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA.
Beddows, P.A. (2007 - forthcoming Oct. 11) Cave drip monitoring as a foundation for better paleo-climate reconstruction. National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, St. Louis, USA.
Beddows, P.A. (2007 - forthcoming Oct. 11) Mapping flooded caves from above: Surface karst inventory of the Yucatan Peninsula. National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, St. Louis, USA.
Beddows, P.A. (2007 - forthcoming Oct. 11) When the survey is not enough: Using temperature, salinity, and in-conduit dye tracing to reveal active flow paths. National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, St. Louis, USA.
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C. (2007 - forthcoming Oct.) Cave drip waters associated with speleothem formation: Intra and inter-site comparison. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Denver, USA.
Ford, D.C., Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P. (2007 - forthcoming Oct) Holocene environmental change on Vancouver Island: The karst record. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Denver, USA.
Zhang, R. Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C., Beddows, P.A. (2007 - forthcoming Oct.) Paleoclimate variations from 0 to 12.3 ka BP inferred from three coeval calcite and aragonite speleothems from Marengo Cave, Indiana, USA. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Denver, USA.
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C. (2006) δD, δ18O, and hydrological variations in adjacent drips in three caves at increasing elevation: Vancouver Island, BC. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Philadelphia, USA.
Torres-Talamante, O., Escobar-Briones, E., Álvarez, F. Alcocer, J., Mejía, L., Beddows, P., Yager, J. (2006) Estudio de relaciones ecológicas y biogeoquímicas de Speleonectes tulumensis (Yager, 1987) en un sistema anquihalino. V Congreso y Reunión Villalobos. Mexico City, Mexico
Beddows, P.A., Webster, K.H., Kras, S.M. (2006) Inventory development for surface karst features of the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Philadelphia, USA. * This link will redirect you to the GSA webpage.
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F. (2005) Potential for inland dispersal of injection well effluent in coastal carbonate aquifers: Evidence from Caribbean Yucatan coast. Proceedings of the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium. Albany, USA
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C., Chin, K. (2005) Instrumental challenges and unexpected research potential revealed by a North American cave drip monitoring network. Proceedings of the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium. Albany, USA
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C. (2005) Seasonality of cave drip hydrology and chemistry in relation to mid-latitude North American Holocene paleoclimate records from speleothems Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 37(7). Salt Lake City, USA. * This link will redirect you to the GSA webpage.
Zhang, R., Schwarcz, H.P., Ford, D.C., Beddows, P.A. (2005) SEM and petrographic studies of stalagmite caps and trapping of fluid inclusions. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 37(7). Salt Lake City, USA.
Beddows, P.A., Zhang, R., Ford, D.C., Schwarcz, H.P. (2005) Calibrated Holocene paleotemperature record for North America from stable isotopic analyses of speleothems and their fluid inclusions. Union International de Speleologie Congress Abstracts. Athens, Greece.
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F. (2005) Decoupled and depth stratified circulation in a coastal carbonate aquifer: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Union International de Speleologie Congress Abstracts. Athens, Greece.
Smith, S.L., Whitaker, F.F., Parkes, R.J., Smart, P.L. & P.A. Beddows (2005) Bacterially induced carbonate dissolution in a modern mixing zone: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. International Symposia for Subsurface Microbiology & Environmental Biogeochemistry Abstract Volume. Jackson Hole, USA.
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F., Smith, S.L. (2004) Heliothermic Heating of Density Stratified Groundwater - An Alternative Interpretation to Geothermal Circulation. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Denver, USA. * This link will redirect you to the GSA webpage.
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F. & Smith, S.L. (2004) Regional groundwater circulation of the Caribbean Yucatan aquifer revealed using temperature and specific electrical conductance observations. British Cave Research Association Science Symposium, Manchester, UK. Published abstract in Journal of Cave and Karst Science. .
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F. & Smith, S.L. (2003) Decoupled density stratified groundwater circulation on the Caribbean Coast of the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. British Cave Research Association Science Symposium, Bristol, UK. Published abstract in Journal of Cave and Karst Science, 29(2), 91
Beddows, P.A., Smart, P.L., Whitaker, F.F. & Smith, S.L. (2001) Hydrodynamics of the density stratified coastal carbonate aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico: A preliminary report. British Cave Research Association Science Symposium, Oxford, U.K.
Beddows, P., Smart, P., Whitaker, F. & Smith, S. (2001) ¿Donde van las aguas residuales? El acuífero cárstico de la Municipalidad de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, México: Where does the Sewage Go? The karst groundwater system of the Municipalidad de Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In Huerta Illescas, J.A., et al. (eds) A la salvaguarda de los ecosistemas frágiles en Solidaridad, Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad Dirección de Medio Ambiente, Playa del Carmen, México, 168-178
Beddows, P.A., Ford, D.C., & Worthington, S.R.H. (1998). Sustainable Potable Water Supplies from Conduit Systems: Caribbean Coast, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 30 (7) Toronto, Canada.
Beddows, P.A., & Ford, D.C. (1998). Spatial and temporal trends of groundwater velocity and water stage within the Nohoch Nah Chich System: Implications for contaminant dispersion (Yucatan Peninsula, México). Geological Association of Canada & the Mineralogical Association of Canada (+ 2 others) annual conference in Québec City, Canada, May 18-20. Published abstract in Blais-Leroux, L. (ed). Abstract Volume - Quebec 1998, A13
Beddows, P.A., and Ford, D.C. (1998). Hydrological Aspects of a Tropical Coastal Karstic Aquifer: North-eastern Yucatan Peninsula. Association of American Geographers 94th Annual Meeting, Vol. 19, Boston, USA
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MANUALS & FIELD GUIDES
Beddows, P.A. (2004) Cave Development in Continental & Coastal Limestone Regions. In Matthes, A., et al. (eds) IANTD Cave Diver Training Manual, IANTD, 90-96
Beddows, P.A. (2003) An Introduction to the Yucatan Peninsula hydrogeology: A World class example of a coastal carbonate density stratified aquifer. In Cavern Guide Training Program, Asociación de Prestadores de Servícios Acuáticos (Riviera Maya Association of Dive & Watersports Operators - APSA) 45-54
Beddows, P.A. (2003) Introduction to the Hydrogeology of the Caribbean Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. In Ward, B. (ed) SWICA (Salt Water Intrusion & Coastal Aquifer Conference) Field Trip to the Caribbean Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula April 4-5, 2003, 13-22