Luis E. Marín

Size and morphology of the Chicxulub impact crater

The Chicxulub impact in Mexico has been linked to the mass extinction of species at the end of the Cretaceous period. From seismic data collected across the offshore portion of the impact crater, the diameter of the transient cavity is determined to be about 100 km. This parameter is critical for constraining impact-related effects on the Cretaceous environment, with previous estimates of the cavity diameter spanning an order of magnitude in impact energy. The offshore seismic data indicate that the Chicxulub crater has a multi-ring basin morphology, similar to large impact structures observed on other planets, such as Venus.

Chicxulub Multiring Impact Basin: Size and Other Characteristics Derived from Gravity Analysis

The buried Chicxulub impact structure in Mexico, which is linked to the Cretaceous- Tertiary (K-T) boundary layer, may be significantly larger than previously suspected. Reprocessed gravity data over Northern Yucatan reveal three major rings and parts of a fourth ring, spaced similarly to those observed at multiring impact basins on other planets. The outer ring, probably corresponding to the basins topographic rim, is almost 300 kilometers in diameter, indicating that Chicxulub may be one of the largest impact structures produced in the inner solar system since the period of early bombardment ended nearly 4 billion years ago.

Ring of Cenotes (sinkholes), northwest Yucatan, Mexico: Its hydrogeologic characteristics and possible association with the Chicxulub impact crater

A 180-km-diameter semicircular band of abundant karst sinkholes (Ring of Cenotes) in northwest Yucatan, Mexico, coincides approximately with a concentric ring of the buried Chicxulub structure, a circular feature manifested in Cretaceous and older rocks, that has been identified as the product of the impact of a bolide. The ring, expressed in Tertiary rocks, marks a zone of high permeability as shown by (1) the sinkholes themselves, (2) breaks in the coastal dune system and high density of springs where the ring intersects the coast, and (3) water-level transects characterized by a decline in water level toward the ring. Any direct relation that exists between the Ring of Cenotes and the Chicxulub structure bears on regional hydrogeology. If the layer or zone responsible for the ring is deeply buried, it may act as a barrier to the movement of ground water across the main flow direction. Shallower zones of horizontal permeability could result in less complete diversion of ground water. Through its influence on Yucatan aquifer characteristics, the ring may provide a link between modern environmental problems and astrogeology. Possible origins for the Ring of Cenotes are (1) faulting, perhaps reactivated by post-Eocene–mid-Miocene basin loading, (2) permeability in a buried reef complex developed in the shallow Paleocene sea around the crater rim, or (3) breccia collapse occasioned by consolidation or by solution of evaporite components. If the ring developed on ancient faults, it may outline hydrothermal systems and mineral deposits produced during Paleocene cooling of the Chicxulub melt sheet.

The Hydrogeochemistry of the Karst Aquifer System of the Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Based on groundwater geochemistry, stratigraphy, and surficial and tectonic characteristics, the northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, a possible analog for ancient carbonate platforms, is divided into six hydrogeochemical/physiographic regions: (1) Chicxulub Sedimentary Basin, a Tertiary basin within the Chicxulub impact crater; (2) Cenote Ring, a semicircular region of sinkholes; (3) Pockmarked Terrain, a region of mature karst; (4) Ticul fault zone; (5) Holbox Fracture Zone-Xel-Ha Zone; and (6) Evaporite Region. Regional characteristics result from tectonics, rock type, and patterns of sedimentation, erosion, and rainfall. The Cenote Ring, characterized by high groundwater flow, outlines the Chicxulub Basin. Most groundwater approaches saturation in calcite and dolomite but is undersaturated in gypsum. Important groundwater parameters are: SO4/Cl ratios related to seawater mixing and sulfate dissolution; Sr correlation with SO4 and saturation of Lake Chichancanab water with celestite, indicating celestite as a major source of Sr; high Sr in deep water of cenotes, indicating deep circulation and contact of groundwater with evaporite; and correlation of Ca, Mg, and SO4, probably related to gypsum dissolution and dedolomitization. Based on geochemistry we propose: (1) a fault between Lake Chichancanab and Cenote Azul; (2) deep seaward movement of groundwater near Cenote Azul; and (3) contribution of evaporite dissolution to karst development in the Pockmarked Terrain. Chemical erosion by mixing-zone dissolution is important in formation of Estuario Celestun and other estuaries, but is perhaps inhibited at Lake Bacalar where groundwater dissolves gypsum, is high in Ca, low in CO3, and does not become undersaturated in calcite when mixed with seawater.

Petrology of Impact-Melt Rocks at the Chicxulub Multiring Basin, Yucatan, Mexico

Compositions and textures of melt rocks from the upper part of the Chicxulub structure are typical of melt rocks at other large terrestrial impact structures. Apart from variably elevated iridium concentrations (less than 1.5 to 13.5 +/- 0.9 ppb) indicating nonuniform dissemination of a meteoritic component, bulk rock and phenocryst compositions imply that these melt rocks were derived exclusively from continental crust and platform-sediment target lithologies. Modest differences in bulk chemistry among samples from wells located approximately 40 km apart suggest minor variations in relative contributions of these target lithologies to the melts. Subtle variations in the compositions of early-formed pyroxene and plagioclase also support minor primary differences in chemistry between the melts. Evidence for pervasive hydrothermal alteration of the porous mesostasis includes albite, K-feldspar, quartz, epidote, chlorite, and other phyllosilicates, as well as siderophile element-enriched sulfides, suggesting the possibility that Chicxulub, like Sudbury, may host important ore deposits.

Evidence for a meteoritic component in impact melt rock from the chicxulub structure

Abstract The Chicxulub structure in Yucatan, Mexico, has recently been recognized as a >200-km-diameter multi-ring impact crater of K-T boundary age. Crystalline impact melt rocks and breccias from within the crater, which have compositions similar to those of normal continental crustal rocks and which show shock metamorphic effects, have been studied for trace element and Re-Os isotope compositions. Re-Os isotope systematics allow the sensitive and selective determination of an extraterrestrial component in impact-derived rocks. A melt rock sample shows elevated indium concentrations, an osmium concentration of 25 ppb and a low 187 Os 188 Os ratio of 0.113, which are incompatible with derivation from the continental crust. Even though the 187 Os 188 Os ratio is slightly lower than the range so far measured in meteorites, a mantle origin seems unlikely for mass balance reasons and because the cratering event is unlikely to have excavated mantle material. The data support the hypothesis of a heterogeneously distributed meteoritic component in the Chicxulub melt rock. A sample of impact glass from the Haitian K-T boundary at Beloc yielded about 0.1 ppb osmium and an 187 Os 188 Os ratio of 0.251, indicating the presence of a small meteoritic component in the impact ejecta as well.

Development of a Protection Strategy of Karst Limestone Aquifers: The Merida Yucatan, Mexico Case Study

In many regions karstic aquifers constitute the only available source of drinking water. Due to the high risk of contamination in these aquifers, a comprehensive groundwater protection and control system must be designed and established. It has recentlybeen proposed that Hydrogeologic Reserve Zones (HRZ) can be established as a tool for the groundwater management in these aquifers. The following approach is proposed in order to establish the HRZ in karstic aquifers: including several generalstrategies for the protection of the ground waters within them, as well as the zoning of the land use and the development of acode of practice. A general procedure is proposed for the development of code of practice for ground water protection inkarst aquifers, which is applied as a case study in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Determination of flow characteristics in the aquifer of the Northwestern Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract Flow characteristics were studied in the Northwestern Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico. The Yucatan aquifer is a mature karst system, influenced by the Ring of Cenotes (sinkholes). This zone of aligned sinkholes is a high-permeability zone with respect to its surroundings. The aquifer is unconfined within the study area. Water-level measurements at 48 locations were made in June and October 1994; they were measured up to four times in October. Water levels in a limited group of wells showed variations up to 60% during October 1994 whereas others had variations of the order of 5% in the same period. By studying the resulting equipotential regimes, a highly variable zone (HVZ) was identified. Drain characteristics are significantly different from the rest of the study area, which leads to the hypothesis that the HVZ represents an independent subsystem of interconnected fractures. To determine directions of high permeability within the study area, azimuthal resistivity surveys were conducted at 22 locations. Resistivity curves particularly in the HVZ show two or more peaks, each indicating a direction of high permeability. Directions of high permeability are interpreted to be preferential directions of aligned fractures. Comparison with the two different equipotential regimes in October 1994 shows that in the majority of the cases the direction of the hydraulic gradient coincides with the direction of one fracture system. The hydraulic gradient can be considered to be the major control in the dissolution process at least in the HVZ, resulting in the selective opening of the fractures. Peaks in the resistivity curves are of the same order of magnitude. This shows that both regimes of equipotential lines and the corresponding changes of the hydraulic gradients are sufficiently frequent to be able to create different fracture systems with a comparable fracture density. The variations of the equipotential regime in time may have severe consequences in terms of the risk of aquifer contamination in the highly variable zone. Contaminants, generated mainly in the city of Merida, are generally believed to flow towards the north coast of the Peninsula. However, reversals in the hydraulic gradient may allow contaminants to flow towards the southeast of the city, at least for limited periods in the year.

Reverse Polarity Magnetized Melt Rocks from the Cretaceous/Tertiary Chicxulub Structure, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract We report paleomagnetic results for core samples of the breccia and andesitic rocks recovered from the Yucatan-6 Petroleos Mexicanos exploratory well within the Chicxulub structure (about 60 km SSW from its center), northern Yucatan, Mexico. A previous study has shown that the rocks studied contain high iridium levels and shocked breccia clasts and an Ar/Ar date of 65.2 ± 0.4 Ma (Sharpton et al., 1992). Andesitic rocks are characterized by stable single-component magnetizations with a mean inclination of −42.6° ± 2.4°. Breccias present a complex paleomagnetic record characterized by multivectorial magnetizations with widely different initial NRM inclinations. However, after alternating field demagnetization, well defined characteristic components with upward inclinations are defined. IRM acquisition experiments, comparison of IRM and NRM coercivity spectra and the single component magnetization of the andesitic rocks indicate the occurrence of iron-rich titanomagnetites of single or pseudo-single domain states as the dominant magnetic carriers. Mean inclinations from the andesitic rocks and most of the breccia samples give a mean inclination of about −40° to −45°, indicating a reverse polarity for the characteristic magnetization that is consistent with geomagnetic chron 29R, which spans the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) boundary. The inclination is also consistent with the expected value (and corresponding paleolatitude) for the site estimated from the reference polar wander curve for North America. We suggest that the characteristic magnetizations for the andesitic and breccia rocks are the result of shock heating at the time of formation of the impact structure and that the age, polarity and paleolatitude are consistent with a time at the K/T boundary.

Hydrogeologic Site Characterization Using Azimuthal Resistivity Surveys

The purpose of this work is to evaluate whether azimuthal resistivity surveys (ARS) provide diagnostic information for mapping preferred hydraulic conductivity directions in unconsolidated sediments as they do in fractures/jointed media. Nineteen azimuthal resistivity surveys (ARS) were conducted in three different places within a shallow, unconsolidated, sand and gravel aquifer located at the Michigan Integrated Remediation Technology Laboratory (MIRTL). Two of the three places where soundings were conducted lie along the flow path where a controlled tracer release using bromide took place. The ARS were conducted using a Wenner array, with electrode separations (AB/3) that ranged from 4.0–11.0 meters. Electrical anisotropy ratios gave a range of 1.08–1.37 for all 19 soundings. Ground water direction of the induced plume was along the regional flow path as determined for the period from July 1996, using continuous water level recorders. Thus, the observed electrical anisotropy ratios were not significant ...