Hydrocarbon pollution in underwater sinkholes of the Mexican Caribbean caused by tourism and asphalt: Historical data series and cluster analysis

In this study historical data sets from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 of hydrocarbon pollution in sinkholes of Quintana Roo are presented for two vacational seasons: “High” (July) and “Low” (October). Anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene and Pyrene were found to be the main hydrocarbon contaminants and these poly aromatics hydrocarbons are strongly related to pollution by asphalt. Tourism contributes to hydrocarbon pollution in the sinkholes of Quintana Roo in two main ways: runoff of fuel from cars and, principally, from annual asphalting. Additionally, in this paper we conduct a cluster analysis to classify the pollution grade of the sinkholes. Clustering can be used to observe and interpret the cause of vacational seasonal pollution produced by tourism.