The hydrography of Yucatán is one of the most peculiar in the world due to the total absence of water currents on the surface. However, this area has a great abundance of underground aquatic deposits.
These deposits are called cenotes. In addition, there are also some important bodies of water on the surface, especially lagoons and estuaries.
The surface water masses in this state are divided into three hydrological regions: eastern Yucatan, western Yucatan and northern Yucatan. The latter is the largest, since it occupies more than 90% of the surface of the state territory.
Despite the fact that the Yucatan region does not have any river or any other type of water current on the surface, it has a large number of hydrographic surfaces.
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The 3 types of hydrographic bodies of Yucatán
1- Esteros
The estuaries are large swampy areas that are formed when flooded by an abundance of rain.
In these there is the mangrove ecosystem, in which many species of native animals and plants appear.
One of the best known estuaries is the Celestún. It is about 600 km² in size and is known above all for its native flamingo population.
These flamingos have a very intense pink color due to the large amount of carotene in the water.
This estuary is quite peculiar because it combines salty water from the Gulf of Mexico and fresh water from the estuary with which it shares its name.
2- Lagoons
The superficial lagoons form a good part of the hydrography of the state of Yucatán. They are mainly concentrated on the coast of the region; the most important are the Flamingos lagoon and the Rosada lagoon.
The latter is especially known due to the intense pink color of its waters, a characteristic that gives it its name.
This curious phenomenon occurs due to bacteria that live inside it, called halobacteria.
Depending on the temperature and the time of day, the color of the water varies from a pale pink to a more intense one. This lagoon has become one of the main tourist attractions in the area.
The lagoons of Yucatán are home to many indigenous species, especially animals. Some of the most prominent are the pink flamingos and pelicans.
3- Cenotes
Cenotes are formed when a buried reservoir of water is exposed to the surface when the earth on it collapses. The word cenote comes from the Mayan word "tz'ono'ot" which means "well."
The number of cenotes in Yucatán is between 7000 and 8000, although it is difficult to know the exact number. All of these can be classified as "young" or "old."
In the young cenotes the water is able to run freely to a larger reservoir, creating currents.
On the contrary, in the old cenotes there is a blockage of the water flow, so the change is slower.
The cenotes have many native species of both plants and animals. Among the most curious are the different varieties of blind fish and aquatic plants.
Some of the cenotes in Yucatán have been conditioned and turned into spas, while others are famous among lovers of diving and caving. Among the most famous are the Sagrado de Chichén Itzá and the Zazí de Valladolid.
References
- "Hydrology of the State of Yucatan" in: For all of Mexico. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from For all of Mexico: paratodomexico.com
- "Hydrology" in: The Yucatan peninsula. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from The Yucatan Peninsula: peninsuladelyucatan.blogspot.com.es
- "Meet the pink lagoon of Yucatan" at: Expedia. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from Expedia: blog.expedia.mx
- "Estero" in: BioVallarta. Retrieved on: November 6, 2017 from BioVallarta: biovallarta.com
- "Celestún" in: Wikipedia. Retrieved: November 6, 2017 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org