Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

2.2.6 Salinity
The proposed project site is abutted on the eastern side by the open sea, and a lagoonal system
referred to as the Laguna de Cantena on the western or leeward side [See PL 1.1 and Fig. 2.1].
The seaward side of the property was characterized by oceanic quality water which ranged from
29 ppt to 36 ppt, at the time of the Tunich Nah Survey, which took place between mid-April and
mid-May 2006, [See Table 2.1]. The salinity of the waters off the eastern shores of the property
are expected to approximate oceanic quality throughout the year, with some slight elevations in
value during the drier portions of the year [Pers. comm.., G. Myvett]: This is particularly relevant
to the reef environment and the offshore areas of the project site [See Sample Sites #’s 3, 4 & 5],
given the proximity and contiguous articulation of the area with the pelagic deep ocean
environment [See ‘I’ Fig. 2.1]. The average salinity in the area of the reef lagoon off the eastern
shores of the property has been stated as 37.2 ppt [BCES, 1993].
The Laguna de Cantena is a fairly hyper saline body of water with limited connection with the
moderating influences of the open sea environment, through various mangrove channels
rereffred to as ‘Bogues’ [Pers. comm.., G. Myvett]. Salinity in the Lagoon ranged from 42 to 45
ppt [See Sample Sites #’s 1 & 2 Table 2.1]. The stated average for salinity in the Laguna de
Cantena was 40.9 ppt [BCES]. The hypersaline condition of the lagoon in the vicinity of the
project site is understandable given the limited inflows of water from the wider marine
environment [Pers. comm., G. Myvett].
Apart from the open sea and the relatively expansive Laguna de Cantena, there are isolated
hypersaline ponds and inundated depressions throughout the greater Bacalar Chico area with
salinities as high as 123.8 ppt [Grimshaw and Paz, 2004]. None of these hypersaline ponds or
inundated depressions was seen on the property during the Tunich Nah survey in April and May
2006.
Salinity is arguably among the most important physico-chemical parameters influencing the
evolutionary history of the flora and fauna in the area: These biota are adapted to live in fairly
high saline conditions and are not physiologically equipped to deal with any appreciable
variation in salinities. The fauna adapted to live in these conditions have been characterized as
being ‘stenohaline’ in character.
2.2.7 Turbidity
Visibility in the water column was approximately 250 ft. in the reef environment and 150 to 170
ft. in the nearshore sea grass beds [Pers. comm., G. Myvett]. This was consistent with the
Turbidity Values recorded in the area by the Tunich Survey Team: These values ranged from 2
to 3 ppm on the 11 th May 2006, and from 1 to 2 ppm on the 16 th May 2006.
The turbidity in the area varies with wave energy and currents: It generally increases with heavy
sea states and strong tidal currents. Heavy sea states, in terms of annual cycles, are associated
with the strong and sustained southeasterly winds in April and May, and the northerlies which
affect the area from October to February [Pers. comm.., G. Myvett]. The stronger tidal currents
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