29 US-Mexico Exchange on Cave and Karst Science and Conservation

This session welcomes submissions in fields related with cave and karst sciences applied in Mexico, with a special interest in showcasing present or past US-Mexico binational collaborations, inter- and multidisciplinary studies and community outreach projects.

Thursday, 23 April 2026
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
LMH, Meeting Room

Sac Actún: Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis of Scientific and Cultural Literature Abstract

Paper number: 29-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:55 PM – 2:15 PM

Authors

Abstract

The Sac Actún flooded cave system (Quintana Roo) spans approximately 318 km in length and constitutes part of the Yucatán Peninsula aquifer in Mexico. It harbors a bio-cultural heritage of significant value, contributing substantially to the region’s economy. Its hydrogeological, cultural, physicochemical, and ecological characteristics, among others, have attracted interest from various scientific disciplines as well as the tourism sector in the area. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive review of academic articles and published literature on Sac Actún, identifying thematic categories and predominant approaches that have facilitated its understanding, research, and utilization. The investigation follows a systematic review methodology, incorporating descriptive quantitative analysis and thematic categorization.

The expected outcomes include the development of a thematic classification, identification of prevailing academic approaches, and examination of other literary materials associated with community knowledge and its biocultural dimension. This work seeks to acknowledge the diversity of existing documentary information on the area and promote a more integrated vision and understanding of the Yucatán Peninsula aquifer.

Keywords: Sac Actún, Yucatán Peninsula aquifer, thematic categorization.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 3

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026CD-410887

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